Pew FTLC Library
Just-in-Time Teaching
Just-in-Time Teaching (JiTT) is a pedagogical approach that requires
students to answer questions related to an upcoming class a few hours
beforehand, using an online course management system. While the phrase
“just in time” may evoke shades of slap-dash work and cut corners,
JiTT pedagogy is just the opposite. It helps students to view learning
as a process that takes time, introspection, and persistence.
Students who experience JiTT come to class better prepared, and
report that it helps to focus and organize their out-of-class
studying. Their responses to JiTT questions make gaps in their
learning visible to the teacher prior to class, enabling him or her to
address learning gaps while the material is still fresh in students’
minds – hence the label “just in time.”
JiTT questions differ from traditional homework problems in being
designed not only to build cognitive skills, but also to help students
confront misconceptions, make connections to previous knowledge, and
develop metacognitive thinking practices. Students consequently spend
more time on course concepts and ideas, but also read their textbooks
in ways that result in more effective and deeper learning. Starting
the class with students’ work also dramatically changes the
classroom-learning environment, creating greater student engagement.
This book demonstrates that JiTT has broad appeal across the
academy. Part I provides a broad overview of JiTT, introducing the
pedagogy and exploring various dimensions of its use without regard to
discipline. Part II of the book demonstrates JiTT’s remarkable
cross-disciplinary impact with examples of applications in physics,
biology, the geosciences, economics, history, and the humanities.
Publisher's description.
Call number: FTLC LB 2331 .J78 2010
Volumes in the Pew FTLC library are cataloged through University Libraries. You
are welcome to stop by our office (068 James H. Zumberge Hall) and
browse the collection.
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