Getting Started with afterthoughts

Introduction

The afterthoughts package is designed to enhance the teaching and learning experience in R programming classrooms. It provides a structured approach to student reflection, ensuring that learners have the opportunity to process and internalize their learning experiences.

This vignette will guide you through the basic usage of the package and show you how to integrate reflection prompts into your teaching practice.

Installation

You can install the package from GitHub using:

# install.packages("devtools")
devtools::install_github("ccani007/afterthoughts")

Basic Usage

Here’s how to use the main functions of the package:

library(afterthoughts)

my_turn()
#> 
#> Here is your reflection prompt for today:
#> 
#> If you could pause the session and ask for help, when would it have been?

Each time a student runs the my_turn() function, they will receive a random reflection prompt.

Lets try it out:

my_turn()
#> 
#> Here is your reflection prompt for today:
#> 
#> Did you feel stuck at any point? If yes, where?

Exploring Reflection Prompts

The afterthoughts package provides a collection of thoughtfully crafted reflection prompts. Let’s explore how to use them:

Viewing All Prompts

To see all available reflection prompts, use the get_prompts() function:

library(afterthoughts)
get_prompts()
#>  [1] "What was the most successful moment in your teaching today? What made it successful?"     
#>  [2] "Which student interaction surprised you today? What did you learn from it?"               
#>  [3] "What teaching strategy worked particularly well today? Why do you think it was effective?"
#>  [4] "What was the most challenging part of your lesson today? How did you handle it?"          
#>  [5] "How did you adapt your teaching to meet different learning needs today?"                  
#>  [6] "What feedback did you receive from students today? How will you use this feedback?"       
#>  [7] "What classroom management strategies did you use today? Were they effective?"             
#>  [8] "How did you incorporate student voice and choice in your lesson today?"                   
#>  [9] "What connections did students make between today's content and their prior knowledge?"    
#> [10] "How did you assess student understanding today? What did you learn from the assessment?"  
#> [11] "What questions did students ask today that made you think differently about the content?" 
#> [12] "How did you create an inclusive learning environment today?"                              
#> [13] "What technology or resources enhanced student learning today?"                            
#> [14] "How did you support struggling students today? What could you do differently?"            
#> [15] "What moments of joy or engagement did you observe in your classroom today?"               
#> [16] "How did you promote critical thinking in your lesson today?"                              
#> [17] "What classroom routines or procedures need adjustment based on today's experience?"       
#> [18] "How did you balance direct instruction with student-centered learning today?"             
#> [19] "What professional development needs did today's teaching reveal?"                         
#> [20] "How did you take care of your own well-being as a teacher today?"

Using Prompts Effectively

Here are some tips for using these prompts in your classroom:

Daily Reflection: Use a prompt at the end of each class to encourage students to process what they’ve learned
Group Discussion: Select a prompt for small group discussions about the day’s material
Writing Exercise: Have students write responses to prompts as a homework assignment
Class Warm-up: Start class with a reflection on the previous session’s learning

Next Steps

Try incorporating these prompts into your next R programming class
Observe how students engage with the reflection process
Adjust the prompts or create your own based on student responses
Share your experiences with the teaching community

Remember, reflection is a powerful tool for deepening understanding and making learning more meaningful for your students.

Catalina Canizares