Emerging Stronger Conference
Mini Teaching and Learning Conference
At the end of May 2021 the Faculty of Science and Engineering ran it’s second Blended Learning Conference, entitled Emerging Stronger – Taken from the Beverly Gibbs and Gary C Wood paper published by the Engineers Professors Council. The focus of the mini conference was to capture interesting and innovative experiences of staff delivering Blended and Online Learning over the past 12 to 18 months. Every week a new video from the conference will be uploaded here.
Drones to the Rescue! Remote and blended teaching of practical Aerospace Engineering Design
Getting your hands dirty with a practical design project sounds like every engineer’s dream. Sketching, cutting, screwing, soldering, and just general tinkering, are all things that we imagine engineers like to do in their spare time. But while some students will race to ditch the classroom and be hands-on in the laboratory, others can be a little more reluctant. In this presentation we will look at some of the approaches we have taken to breaking down barriers to engaging students in practical engineering. This includes our DroneFromHome project in 2020-2021, where students designed, built, and flew drones from the comfort of their own homes.
Dr Ben Parslew and Dr Khris Kabbabe
Developing digital literacy: a collaboration between academics/employers/students via a virtual graduate showcase
Digital literacy is more than just knowing how to use a web browser or navigate basic software. Via virtual graduate showcase, students have used digital tools to create innovative projects. The online platform enabled them to enhance their communication skills, preparing them for the challenges of an evolving workplace.
Dr Aurelie Le Normand
An integrated Blackboard, STACK and Piazza-aided active learning environment for advanced engineering mathematics
In this talk, we will compare our experience of delivering a course in advanced second-year engineering mathematics over the last two years. We will discuss technical and pedagogic challenges for STACK-based semi-automatic assessment and illustrate how an integrated approach to eLearning could help achieve better learning outcomes.
Dr Igor Chernyavsky, Prof William Lionheart and Dr Colin Steele
Motivational Videos: Inspiring yet informal?
Colin Steele – Motivational Videos slides
In addition to the core academic features such as Content Videos, STACK Questions, Polls, courses MATH19801 (to Foundation Year) and MATH19662 (to 1st year MACE) contain weekly “motivational videos” introducing the relevant topics and giving some context e.g. to a more powerful demonstration, to some quotes by scientists and others to current events etc. Although there always seems to be time-pressure on students, this provides a relaxing introduction which may help with the pressure later on; students have commented favourably on these motivational videos.
Dr Colin Steele
eLearning looking ahead to Semester 1
Dan Jagger – eLearning Presentation
Dan Jagger from the faculty eLearning team will give us a brief update on some new digital tools available for developing and supporting Blended Learning that should be available in time for Semester 1, an outline of training schedules for staff and an update on preparations for Start of Year 2021-22.
Teaching The Black Box
Do you loath teaching to the black box in Zoom or Teams? It’s become a reality of virtual teaching sessions, and although there some good safeguarding reasons for it, if you’re a teacher who thrives on discussion and collaboration, it is a challenge. Join in this session to hear and share how student collaboration and reflection has been encouraged.
Dr Lynne Bianchi
Flipped Learning – Opportunities for Student Partnership
In this presentation I will be talking about my experiences with flipped / blended learning, both before and during the pandemic. I aim to cover the opportunities for integration of student voices into teaching through partnership in the design and review of both synchronous and asynchronous materials. I’ll also look at how student’s efforts can be rewarded and recognised as valid practices or contributions within higher education.
Dr Nick Weise
Getting Feedback from Students to Improve Teaching
Getting Feedback From Students PowerPoint slides
The questions asked on Unit Evaluation Questionnaires (UEQs) are poorly worded, have ambiguous interpretations, and don’t help me get the information I need to improve my courses. Thus, I administer my own surveys with specially designed questions aimed at finding out where I’m hitting the mark and where I could improve. Even after prodding the students with detailed questions, they can remain an enigma, so I conduct focus groups to further delve into their psyche. This presentation discusses how to design and execute your own survey to engage with students, improve your teaching, and demonstrate your commitment to the students’ education.
Prof David Schultz
