TutorStack in Action

1. Eamonn de Leastar, Colm Dunphy
Dept of Computing & Mathematics, WIT

2. Higher Diploma is Computer Science
Agenda
§ Background
§ Context & Objectives
§ Online Student Experience
§ Student Response

3. Higher Diploma is Computer Science
(2013-2017)
§ Launched in 2013 in Traditional Mode
Initial focus on upskilling unemployed
candidates
§ 12 month Tuition + 6 months work
placement
§ Specific focus on Modern Software
Developer Skill Set
§ Approx. 52 graduates over 2012-2018 –
majority now working in Technology
sector in South East & Nationally.

4. Higher Diploma is Computer Science
(2018-)
§ Programme now completely online – all
candidate at work in diverse fields
§ 24 Months part time, including 6 months
full time work placement
§ 30 Students enrolled
§ 50 Places approved for January 2019
§ Major expansion in the number of ICT
graduates for the South East

5. Online Delivery
Highest Quality Online Experience
o Core Instructional Resources
o Live Broadcast Sessions
o Recordings
o Community Interaction
o Assessment & Feedback
o Onsite Sessions

6. Programme Structure
Semester 1 Semester 2 Semester 3 Semester 4

7. https://wit-hdip-comp-sci-2018.github.io/
Open Course Portal

8. Weekly Timetable
Weekly Webinars Slack Channels+

9. Module Calendar

10. Assessment Calendar

11. Module Structure
Weekly Topics
Links to:
o Live Webinar
o Assessment
o Slack
o Youtube Channel

12. Topic Structure
Weekly Video Recording
Slides
Labs

13. Lab Structure
o Self-paced lab steps
o Clear, simple
instructions
o Syntax highlighted
code fragments
o Illustrations

14. 2. CHANNELS
3. DIRECT
MESSAGES
(DM)
4. TYPE HERE
5. CLICK TO UPLOAD – files / content
Slack – 5 key things to remember1. WORKSPACES

15. What is Slack?
“Leading Messaging & Communication Application for Teams”
• ALL communications in one place
• One Stop Shop
• Fully SEARCHable
• Including within documents
• Integrates with existing tools
• E.g. Google, DropBox, Git
• Fosters Collaboration
• No More Emails!

16. Threads
Peer Support

17. Replicating Social & Community Interactions
Reactions
InterviewsWatercooler

18. Video
Webcam
Mic
Share
Screen
(desktop client only)
Enable others to
draw on your screen
Give others Full Control
of your computer
Stop
Sharing
(on by default)

19. Survey
Semester Week 8

20. Survey | Rationale
Investigate:
• Accessibility of delivery modes offered
• Suitability of class times
• General feedback

21. Survey | Design
• Anonymous
• Created in Google Forms
• Link to survey distributed via #slack
• Easter break
• 5-7 minutes
• Dr. Phil Race’s approach to requesting feedback
• Part way through a semester
so existing students benefit
• “Stop Doing” & “Keep Doing”

22. Survey Response Rate
• 31 students on the programme
• 2 formally withdrew
• 23 responses

23. Video Delivery
•56% Watch Later
•35% Live & replay
• Only 1
• watches live only
• doesn’t use video

24. 78%
Watch Again
Regularly or Always

25. 82%
Prefer YouTube
to Adobe Connect

26. Video: Pre-Recorded v Live Preferences
57%
Mixture of both
26%
Pre-recorded
17%
Live

27. Keep Doing
• Everything!
• Being approachable!
• Offer all electives
• as short intense courses
• “Live”
• Feels more connected
/ human contact
“

28. Keep Doing
•Content
• Engaging Lectures
• Easy to follow notes
• Pace
“

29. Keep Doing
Videos
• Can watch on the commute
• Short rather than long
• YouTube
• Varispeed Playback *2
• Mobile friendly
• Opera friendly
• Produced pre-recorded

30. #Slack
• Separating questions/polls from live videos
• Quick responses
• DM
• Contacting lecturer
• Getting assistance from lecturers
• All communications are in one place
• One stop shop
Keep Doing

31. Summary
Live Talks & Lab Sessions
No Time
Suits Everyone
For Live

32. Summary
Clear preference for
option to attend
Synchronousclass…
Next >

33. …but it mustbe available
Asynchronously too
preferably on YouTube (or similar)

34. Finally…
Feedback and results suggest we’re doing well …

35. “
”
For me this course captures
the Essence and Ethos
of what adult education should be

36. “
”
The course is clear, precise,
exceptionally well laid out
and so professionally run

37. “
”
There are many colleges here in Dublin
that should up their game
and model their course like yours.

38. “
”
Everything is easily accessible (great website),
everyone is so helpful
and generous with their knowledge,
it is very refreshing

39. “
”
If this course was not an online option
I would have clearly have disengaged with
the course by now…
…I can manage to continue my education
and also handle life’s up and downs.

40. “
”
All the options available to play back,
notes etc. really have enhanced my
learning experience…

41. Progress Report - Statistics
80 interviews
37 offered places
31 started
02 formally withdrew
29 active
24 passed
15 were distinctions

42. Progress Report - Modules
02 complete
01 in progress
02 starting in September

43. 2019 & Beyond – Next Intake
• Improved scheduling to
spread effort & simplify
• More Asynchronous
• Rewarding participation
• Accepting up to 100 next
then more?
• Core of future offerings

44. “
”
For me this course captures
the Essence and Ethos
of what adult education should be
“
”
The course is clear, precise,
exceptionally well laid out
and so professionally run
“
”
Everything is easily accessible (great website),
everyone is so helpful
and generous with their knowledge,
it is very refreshing
“
”
Everything is easily accessible (great website),
everyone is so helpful
and generous with their knowledge,
it is very refreshing
“All the options available to play back, notes etc.
really have enhanced my learning experience…
“ There are many colleges here in Dublin
that should up their game
and model their course like yours.