Student participation in computer science tutorials: why are their shoes so interesting?

ABSTRACT

Getting student participation in tutorial and group discussion situations is always a challenge that can be difficult, time consuming and demoralising.

As part of a Postgraduate Teaching Internship, a project is being initiated to try and determine the underlying causes for this refusal to participate by the undergraduates, and make attempts to resolve any problems or issues that may be causing the undergraduate students lack of participation.

The preliminary results of a student survey into their lack of participation in group discussions are discussed, along with potential solutions that can be implemented to avoid future problems, which are in the process of being evaluated.

REFERENCES

• 1: Adams S. Dilbert. United Feature Syndicate, http://www.dilbert.com/. Comic strip.
• 2: Dianne Hagan , Judy Sheard, The value of discussion classes for teaching introductory programming, ACM SIGCSE Bulletin, v.30 n.3, p.108-111, Sept. 1998
• 3: Illiad. User Friendly. http://www.userfriendly.org/. Web-based comic strip.
• 4: Pierse, L. Theatresports Down Under - A Guide for Coaches and Players. Improcorp Australia. Distributed by the ISH group, 11 Power Ave, Alexandria 2015 NSW Australia, [e-mail]. ISBN 0-646-23861-2.
• 5: Stone, B., and Scott, N. Dynamic Teaching Solutions. Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, The Unversity of Western Australia, http://www.mech.uwa.edu.an/Dynamics/Default.html.
• 6: Training and Staff Development Unit. Introduction to Teaching and Learning at Nottingham: A Course for New Lecturers. The University of Nottingham, 1994.
• 7: Teaching Internship Scheme webpage. Teaching and Learning Committee, The University of Western Australia, http://www.acs.uwa.edu.au/reg/sec/teachintern.htm.

INDEX TERMS

Keywords:
student interactivity, student surveys, tutorials participation