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In Physics 111, students work cooperatively to attain knowledge. The classroom is set up with tables instead of desks to encourage intelligent conversation and collaboration. With two to four people at each table, students get numerous opportunities to share their own ideas, to listen and understand other students' ideas, and to carry out class activities and projects together. Oftentimes, students shy away from sharing their own ideas in a large class setting. When students have the opportunity to explore and discuss science phenomena with just a few others initially, they feel more comfortable expressing what they think and why in their collaborative small groups.
During one session, the students discussed ways to foster small group conversations and presented their ideas on whiteboards.