Developing fresh approaches to American politics is always a challenge, but it's even tougher in an introductory graduate class of 100 students. In his course, "Introduction to the U.S. Political System," Professor Mark Rom wanted to create an intimate feeling in the large class through a focus on class discussion.

In order to use class time in more interesting ways, CNDLS helped Prof. Rom to administer all fact-based exams through Blackboard, which automatically stored the grades. This set-up allowed students to choose when and which exams to take, and provided them with immediate feedback on their answers. By shifting the learning of factual content outside of the classroom, Rom was able to focus class time on controversies and interpretation as well as the writing process.

CNDLS customized a blog for the course, on which students posted entries on political issues four times a week and worked in pairs to write point/counterpoint op-eds. Class time became much more energetic and interactive, with time for influential guest speakers, such as E.J. Dionne, and field trips to key sites of American politics.

For more information, resources, and examples regarding course blogs visit our Course Blog Teaching Commons page.