Computing Students:Group Mentors -Influencing and Embedding the Curriculum

Group Mentors: Daniel Devlin, Adrian Hannigan, Carrie-Lyn Kane, David McFaul

Staff: Janet Allison, Michaela Black, Martin McKinney

Set the Scene

Learner centred teaching: Gamification Problem Based Learning Employability Focused with PDP embedded Feed Forward Assessment

Common first year Building blocks of knowledge and good professional practice

Strong focus on Groups

2 group assignments Team Skills Peer Support Group Mentors

Personal Development & Planning (PDP) Embedded within core modules Self Analysis: Strengths & areas of improvement Lab Preparation: Problem solving & design Lab Reflection Employability Skills

Year 1 Transition

GamificationSIX factors contributing to effective engagement in games

FUN: engagement is easier if the experience is enjoyable SOCIAL: engagement is reinforced by the social support

of others going through the same experience IDENTITY: engagement can be encouraged if everyone

has a visible role in the learning environment CHALLENGE: engagement can build on human

competitive drive, enhanced by social pressure STRUCTURE: engagement is more likely if objectives

and constraints are clear and acceptable FEEDBACK: engagement is reinforced by making

achievement explicit and timely

GEL: Game Enhanced Learning Tool

Group based competition Individuals earn points for their group Game offers mixture of student centred compulsory and optional

challenges wrapped around a module: Attendance Answering/Asking questions in class Presentations Group Dynamics Bonus Programming Challenges Exceptional Good Practice Quizzes CV Course/School Ambassador

Social Identity & Feedback of Groups

Improvements

Better retention Better results across all modules More focused and engaged students Improved student feedback

Role of Group Mentors

Students engaging students Active partners in learning

New for 2012-13

Group mentors became part of teaching team Interviewed applicants Induction training session

Including curriculum design workshop Periodic review sessions

Feedback students experience and progress Continue curriculum design workshops to enhance sessions

Review student feedback via quiz (77 respondents)

Proposals from Group Mentors Split up large group assignment

Smaller practice group assignments which are linked Smaller groups

Leaders design range of group assignments Real world problems Teaching group review and approve

White boards in all tutorials Improve problem solving and sharing good practice

Student groups design and create quiz questions for tutorial

49.3345.33

5.33

 Did you find the Group Structure a helpful support resource for start-

ing University?

Strongly AgreeAgreeDisagreeStrongly Disagree

020406080

100

38.67

86.67

14.6744.00 37.33

2.67

What aspects did you find the Mentors most useful with?

(You can select more than one option)

Peer Support

Making New Friends

Developing Team Skills

Travel Together

Having a mentor

01020304050607080

68.00 65.33 68.00

4.00

73.33

Which aspects of the Group Sup-port Model did you find the most

useful? (You can choose more than one)

Have you any suggestions for improving the Group Support Model?

Nope, the group system was top notch

The only possible suggestion would be to let the students choose their own groups. 

No I think the model is good as it is and has helped me greatly.

have a timetabled class for group work, as its difficult to get a time that suits all.

No it's very good

Have everybody learning at the same level so its equal and others aren't further ahead than everyone else

Have outside class meetings with group leader

64.00

30.67

2.67 2.67

Did you find the Student Lab Mentors a helpful support resource in labs and

tutorials?

Strongly AgreeAgreeDisagreeStrongly DisagreeN/A

020406080

100

38.67

86.67

14.6744.00 37.33

2.67

What aspects did you find the Mentors most useful with?

(You can select more than one option)

Have you any suggestions for improving the Lab Support Model?

Have more meetings outside class on a one to one basis

Perhaps having more mentors there , at times it was very hard to get help when needed when you have a lot of students asking the same mentor for help.

The mentor could provide more support

48.0050.67

1.33

Did you find the first practice mini-group assignment useful for starting

the second larger version?

Strongly AgreeAgreeDisagreeStrongly Disagree

33.33

48.00

17.33

1.33

 Did you find the smaller Group Size model beneficial for the group as-

signment?

Strongly AgreeAgreeDisagreeStrongly DisagreeUnanswered

Student Leaders & Staff Views