ABSTRACT
A different use of a textbook arises in support of lab-based courses. Questions tend to have reasonable depth when the questions are distributed with attribution. Questions are graded simply: acceptable or unacceptable, according to whether they demonstrate some connection to the reading; and the submission of questions constitutes a small part of the final grade. This type of activity serves at least two purposes. First, students must read the material in advance of class in order to complete the questions, so the students come to class prepared. Second, submitted questions can guide class discussion; an instructor need not discuss areas that seem clear, but rather can focus on areas of confusion, misconceptions, related topics of interest, etc. Conference discussions and numerous articles report the use of video to introduce students to new material. Although this medium may reflect a change in the form for student assignments, assigned study before class does not.
