Authors
Resource type
Use type
Tools
Project name
Introduction
Use post-it notes or can use the document to print 2 sided (hopefully it lines up correctly) to use to write words on and feed forward to work through the Neural Network. Makes working with a large group of students easier to handle because everyone is included. I also printed the network handout for the students to track how the words flowed through and kept record of it on the whiteboard.
I did this over 3 days, about 30-45 minutes each day. The first day was the slideshow and beginning the first round, including filling in the printed worksheet.
I did this activity with 2 different classes: one with 21 students and the other with 38 students. Both were grouped in the following way:
4 individual students were each one node of the input layer. Then I had 4 even groups of students be 1 node each of the hidden layer so that they had to discuss and decide on which words to feed forward to the last group of students who were designated as the output layer. This output layer then chose one word from each of the hidden layer nodes to use to create their caption. As each part was completed, students filled in their part of their personal chart. Input Nodes wrote their 4 words in their respective spaces. Hidden Layer Node members all wrote the four words they were given (one from each Input Node) as well as the two they chose to feed forward. The members of the Output node wrote the 2 words they received from each hidden layer node in the correct spaces, circled the words they chose to use for the caption, and wrote their caption in the prediction circle.
I then announced what the output layer has predicted the caption to be and begin filling in the chart backwards from the caption back, instructing students to fill in their blank spaces as I write. We then evaluated the caption and boxed the words in the caption that were good/acceptable and strengthened the connections by darkening the lines that connected the used words. This was difficult for them, so I modified it to this: as we back propagated, I gave “tokens” to the nodes that fed forward the acceptable words, telling students the object of the game was to earn the most tokens. We also marked on the post its whether the words were used so the token system matched (used was a checkmark, not used an x) and then put a running tally on the front of each post it. I also kept record of the tallies on the white board. The last round, in addition to giving tokens for feeding forward acceptable words, we took tokens (and tallies) away for feeding forward unacceptable words.
Log in or register to view attachments and related links, and/or join the discussion