JiTT: a feedback loop between Web-based pre-class assignments and classroom instruction

Design · All designs
Evidence · 2 claims (2 for) · 2 studies (1 causal, 1 associational), q2 · 0 of 2 report an effect size · 2 claims rest on one study

Description

JiTT is a teaching and learning approach that combines traditional in-class instruction with Web communication. Its essence is a feedback loop: faculty post Warm Up assignments before class, students respond, and faculty use those responses to tailor the class session. As the authors state, "The essence of JiTT is the feedback loop between the Web and the classroom," emphasizing active learning, constructivism, and prompt feedback while decreasing traditional lecture.

Design Implications

Context

Requirements

• Weekly Web-based Warm Up assignments due before class time
• Faculty time before class to read and select student responses
• A mechanism (CGI-bin or course management software) to collect and display student responses

Constraints

• JiTT is particularly useful in large enrollment courses and for commuting or part-time students, per the authors

Target Learners

• undergraduate nonscience majors in large-enrollment biology
• advanced undergraduate biology majors and graduate students

Learning Goals

• addressing misconceptions and activating prior knowledge
• active learning and cooperative problem solving
• formative assessment and prompt feedback

Claims

• Students self-reported less cramming and more class preparation in the JiTT course than in their non-JiTT courses, except students receiving D or F grades [+W]
• On Newton's Third Law questions specifically, Just-in-Time Teaching students gained 50.8%±4.1% while traditional lecture students gained only 6.6%±5.2% [+W]

Related Designs

Examples

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Key Sources

• Marrs, K.A., and Novak, G. (2004). Just-in-Time Teaching in Biology: Creating an Active Learner Classroom Using the Internet. Cell Biology Education 3, 49–61. https://doi.org/10.1187/cbe.03-11-0022

Page metadata

Field	Value
type	design
id	jitt-web-classroom-feedback-loop
title	JiTT: a feedback loop between Web-based pre-class assignments and classroom instruction
description	JiTT is a teaching and learning approach that combines traditional in-class instruction with Web communication.
status	review
generated	by process:settle-candidates on 2026-10-16
trust	unverified — no one has confirmed this page's content
sources	1 — marrs-2004

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