Case Study: Georgia State University sparks richer class discussion with Top Hat

Georgia State University sparks discussion and debate with Top Hat in a 25-student seminar

Georgia State University, a public research university, faced the challenge of teaching political science with outdated print materials that could not keep pace with a rapidly evolving news and political landscape. This was particularly problematic for a senior seminar focused on protest politics, as traditional textbooks failed to cover timely case studies. Lecturer Holloway Sparks also found that static readings led to poor student preparation, requiring valuable class time to be spent lecturing instead of engaging in discussion.

The university implemented Top Hat, a dynamic courseware platform, to address this. Sparks used Top Hat to author her own interactive modules featuring current videos, news articles, graded questions, and embedded discussions. This solution ensured students came to class prepared with up-to-date knowledge. The results included a marked improvement in the depth and nature of classroom discussion, allowing more time for higher-level activities and debate. Top Hat incentivized completion of readings through points, leading to better student preparation and more relevant, personal learning experiences.

Georgia State University