Visualizing handheld-based classroom activity

Classroom interactions involving handheld wireless connectivity can produce great learning gains. However, characterizing interactions as they happen can be difficult. Based on the log files from two months of use in math classrooms, we have built a visualization tool for examining collaborative and individual use. The tool can be used to aid in qualitative analyses such as frequently conducted to understand learning processes or to conduct interaction or grounded theory analyses. It also has the potential to be an interface to support quantitative queries. However, in order to have utility, design problems have to be solved, including how to display shifting work partnerships for a large number of actors without confusing overlaps. The current paper presents five designs with discussions of their pros and cons.