Pivotal learning moment: Pedagogic theory
Pivotal learning moment: Pedagogic theory¶
This patch is a reflection on a pivotal learning moment in my teaching practice. It describes my first exposure to pedagogic theory, how it shaped my way of teaching, and relates to dimensions A1-5 of the UKPSF.
When I first started teaching in 2014, I was thrown into a classroom with no preparation or formal training in pedagogy. I had to simultaneously teach myself how to teach as well as the subject, which was outside of my expertise. After a rough start, I sought out training and found the Software Carpentry Instructor Training program (A5). The 2-day online training session was a crash course in the theory of teaching and learning, which introduced several concepts that were new to me and provided validation and terminology for some of the things I was already implementing. A summary of the concepts covered in the program can be found in [Wilson, 2019] and [Brown and Wilson, 2018].
I found particularly effective the use of peer-instruction to balance skill levels and provide 1-on-1 help [Vickrey et al., 2015] (A4). My lessons continue to be planned with this in mind and all practical activities now include a think-pair-share type activity. This type of activity is very effective for teaching computer programming, a subject that is considered difficult and even scary by many students. What is more, their background in computing can vary drastically depending on their schooling, with some students having mastered the basic concepts and others never having had any prior exposure to the topic. Research from the field of Computer Science also indicates that allowing students to articulate what they have learned to their peers can also help with the retention of women in their degree programs [Barker et al., 2005].
Most of my teaching involves some form of programming, whether as the main subject or as a tool in practical activities. While programming is one of the most important transferable skills that students in STEM can gain, many come to dread modules that require it. The use of live-coding during instruction is probably one of the most important things any instructor can do to alleviate this problem [Rubin, 2013] (A1-2). Having to type out all code along with saying out loud all that is being written helps reduce the pace of the instructor and provides both visual and auditory stimulus to students. There is also the bonus effect of instructors committing sporadic mistakes in their code, which provide an opportunity to teach students how to identify and fix similar errors.
On top of the pedagogic theory, I was exposed to a well designed virtual learning experience back in 2017. The program was run remotely through Zoom with instructors and learnings spread out across different time zones. The instructors used break-out rooms for frequent think-pair-share activities, which kept us engaged through the long sessions. They also scheduled frequent breaks (10 minutes for every hour of instruction) and encouraged participants to stand up and walk away from the computer screen. Instructors and participants had access to a shared online document in which we typed answers to questions, collected notes collaboratively, and curated questions for the instructors. This technique is difficult to replicate on an in person session and provides students with a valuable reference and awareness of each other’s thoughts in an anonymous medium. Having students collaboratively write the answers to questions and group assignments in the shared document allows me to go over their responses and comment on each to highlight positive aspects and provide feedback on ways to improve (A3).
Having this prior experience with a very effective online delivery meant that I was well prepared for the shift online caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The use of break-out rooms for paired activities, frequent breaks, option for text based interactions, and keeping a shared document for students were all things I picked up from this course. They have been extremely valuable to my teaching this past year and were very well received by students.