Experience in Applying Online Learning Techniques in Computer Science & Engineering Dr. Aiman H. El-Maleh Computer Engineering Department King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals Dr. Aiman H. El-Maleh Computer Engineering Department King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals

OutlineOutline n Techniques & Tools Employed to Enhance Students’ Learning n Student Survey n Assessment of Experience n Future Plan n Techniques & Tools Employed to Enhance Students’ Learning n Student Survey n Assessment of Experience n Future Plan

Techniques & Tools Employed to Enhance Students’ Learning n Discussion Questions n Module Reflections n Play the Role of the Instructor n Anonymous Evaluations n Effective Communication n Discussion Questions n Module Reflections n Play the Role of the Instructor n Anonymous Evaluations n Effective Communication

Discussion Questions n Posted as bonus questions to enhance students' critical thinking skills and collaborative learning address issues that could not be addressed in class put more emphasis on key concepts n Received great success and there is good participation from students. n Important for instructors to learn how to prop for further discussions strike a balance between being available in the discussions and allowing students to participate more in the discussions. n Posted as bonus questions to enhance students' critical thinking skills and collaborative learning address issues that could not be addressed in class put more emphasis on key concepts n Received great success and there is good participation from students. n Important for instructors to learn how to prop for further discussions strike a balance between being available in the discussions and allowing students to participate more in the discussions.

Discussion Participations CourseTerm# Students# Discussions ICS COE COE COE COE COE

Discussion Questions n Bonus discussion questions motivated students to participate n Not all students participate at the same level n Nearly half the class is active in the discussions and the rest have less participations. n Discussions questions should be made as part of the course requirement rather than a bonus n Bonus discussion questions motivated students to participate n Not all students participate at the same level n Nearly half the class is active in the discussions and the rest have less participations. n Discussions questions should be made as part of the course requirement rather than a bonus

ICS 233 Discussion Statistics

COE 205 Discussion Statistics

Discussion Question Sample

Module Reflections n At the end of each module, students are asked to submit a summary of what they feel to have been the most important points covered in the module. n This exercise has three functions: It helps students reinforce and synthesize the material covered, It provides the opportunity for students to get a multitude of perspectives on the module, It gives insight to the instructor to understand what parts of the course have been effective and what may need to be taught in more depth the next time. n At the end of each module, students are asked to submit a summary of what they feel to have been the most important points covered in the module. n This exercise has three functions: It helps students reinforce and synthesize the material covered, It provides the opportunity for students to get a multitude of perspectives on the module, It gives insight to the instructor to understand what parts of the course have been effective and what may need to be taught in more depth the next time.

Module Reflections n Questions asked: What do you recall as the most important or useful points learned from this unit. Summarize those points so that they reflect the “essence” of your most significant learning of this unit. What unanswered question do you still have with regard to this unit’s main topics. n Found useful based on experience of online course by Dr. Susan Manning n Applied for three modules as a bonus n Very interesting and useful reflections given by students n Will make this a requirement that will be given weight in next offering of the course n Questions asked: What do you recall as the most important or useful points learned from this unit. Summarize those points so that they reflect the “essence” of your most significant learning of this unit. What unanswered question do you still have with regard to this unit’s main topics. n Found useful based on experience of online course by Dr. Susan Manning n Applied for three modules as a bonus n Very interesting and useful reflections given by students n Will make this a requirement that will be given weight in next offering of the course

Sample Module Reflection

Play the Role of the Instructor n Based on workshop by KFUPM faculty, students learning will improve by doing more than just listening. n Experiment by asking 3 students to prepare and explain few slides from the lecture notes. n Done on a voluntary basis and each participating student was given a 0.5 bonus. n Done once but I think that it is a useful exercise and I am planning to try it further. n Based on workshop by KFUPM faculty, students learning will improve by doing more than just listening. n Experiment by asking 3 students to prepare and explain few slides from the lecture notes. n Done on a voluntary basis and each participating student was given a 0.5 bonus. n Done once but I think that it is a useful exercise and I am planning to try it further.

Some of Students’ Comments

Anonymous Evaluations n Experimented on a seminar course (COE 390) on computing ethics and technical presentation skills. n Each student writes a paper on computing ethics and presents his paper to the class. n Students are required to assess each other's papers and presentations. n From KFUPM workshop, learned about anonymous discussions. n Students assess each other's papers through anonymous discussions. n An interesting and useful experience as students can comment freely and evaluate their colleague's work. n Experimented on a seminar course (COE 390) on computing ethics and technical presentation skills. n Each student writes a paper on computing ethics and presents his paper to the class. n Students are required to assess each other's papers and presentations. n From KFUPM workshop, learned about anonymous discussions. n Students assess each other's papers through anonymous discussions. n An interesting and useful experience as students can comment freely and evaluate their colleague's work.

Sample Anonymous Evaluation

Effective Communication n Availability of instructor & prompt feedback important in motivating students & encouraging them to participate. n Requires effective use of communication tools. n Used , discussion forums and calendar tool to keep students up to date with course activities to respond to their questions through the discussions. n Utilized available communication tools to provide virtual office hours for students n Availability of instructor & prompt feedback important in motivating students & encouraging them to participate. n Requires effective use of communication tools. n Used , discussion forums and calendar tool to keep students up to date with course activities to respond to their questions through the discussions. n Utilized available communication tools to provide virtual office hours for students

Student Survey n Survey conducted to get students' input on experience of employed learning techniques. n Consisted of five questions: Q1. The discussion questions posted in WebCT were useful and enhanced my learning experience Q2. The availability and the prompt feedback from the instructor have motivated me to participate in the online discussions Q3. Module reflections are good in helping me reinforce the material covered Q4. Playing the role of the instructor is good for enhancing student learning experience Q5. Communication tools used in the course ( , calendar, discussion forums) are effective in keeping me up to date with course activities n Survey conducted to get students' input on experience of employed learning techniques. n Consisted of five questions: Q1. The discussion questions posted in WebCT were useful and enhanced my learning experience Q2. The availability and the prompt feedback from the instructor have motivated me to participate in the online discussions Q3. Module reflections are good in helping me reinforce the material covered Q4. Playing the role of the instructor is good for enhancing student learning experience Q5. Communication tools used in the course ( , calendar, discussion forums) are effective in keeping me up to date with course activities

Survey Results (21 responses)

Assessment of Experience n All activities performed were useful and I will continue to employ them. n Assign weight (5%) for module reflections and online discussions so that all students participate. n Once students achieve the required minimum weight, extra participation will be given as a bonus. n Having students to play the role of the instructor is certainly a good idea and will experiment more with it n All activities performed were useful and I will continue to employ them. n Assign weight (5%) for module reflections and online discussions so that all students participate. n Once students achieve the required minimum weight, extra participation will be given as a bonus. n Having students to play the role of the instructor is certainly a good idea and will experiment more with it

Future Plan n From three workshops, learned briefly a number of online learning tools that can enhance online learning. n Experience gained not enough to allow one to take full advantage of these tools. n Planning to master Centra tool and use it to hold help sessions, tutorials and in explaining some of the difficult concepts. n Planning to better organize the discussions. n From three workshops, learned briefly a number of online learning tools that can enhance online learning. n Experience gained not enough to allow one to take full advantage of these tools. n Planning to master Centra tool and use it to hold help sessions, tutorials and in explaining some of the difficult concepts. n Planning to better organize the discussions.