Improving Graduate Seminar-Style Courses Through Online Delivery

Project Team

Robin Cohen, Computer Science

Project Summary

This project proposes to deliver a graduate-level seminar-based course in computer science totally online, integrating required student tasks that enable learning how to do presentations and how to respond to an audience in an online environment. Combined with detailed feedback on performance and opportunities for peer evaluation, students will become effective participants in tomorrow’s online world (heavily reliant on virtual meetings). The grant will support page charges for a journal revealing quality assurance lessons learned; three undergraduate research assistants will assist with: pre-course insights from existing published experience; immersed learning to draw new conclusions in the term the course is run; and post-course reflection, towards publication. Events held online will share insights and best practices at uWaterloo. The importance of honing skill in graduate-level learning will enhance the LITE agenda, beyond traditional focus on undergrad.

References

Hattie, J., & Timperley, H. (2007). The Power of Feedback. Review of Educational Research, 77(1), 81–112. https://doi.org/10.3102/003465430298487

Kuzma, J. (2011). Using Online Technology to Enhance Student Presentation Skills. Worcester Journal of Learning and Teaching 5. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228762077_Using_Online_Technology_to_Enhance_Student_Presentation_Skills