Abstract
This article reports on the implementation of a programme of individualised, peer-graded homework assignments in a large-scale engineering course, with minimal resources. Participation in the programme allows students to receive grades for problem-solving work in a setting more conducive to learning than the traditional final examination. The homework programme was designed to support the ordinary course work and examination preparation of students along the semester, rather than an expansion of the curriculum. The implementation is carried out using a series of scripts on a local computer, for speed of deployment, portability and privacy protection. Data relevant to instructors are provided, showing that the programme integrates well within an existing grading system, at a relatively low time cost for the instructor, resulting in a relatively large enhancement in the students’ learning experience.
Highlights
In undergraduate engineering studies, very large improvements in the quality of learning can be obtained by reworking the format of traditional “top down” fundamental courses consisting of lecture, exercises and written examination
Teachers may wish to innovate in the context of high student-to-teacher ratios, low institutional support or minimal technical infrastructure
The described technical solution, based on an open-source set of scripts ran on a local computer, allows a single instructor to deploy the program rapidly
Summary
Very large improvements in the quality of learning can be obtained by reworking the format of traditional “top down” fundamental courses consisting of lecture, exercises and written examination. Processes for this include the adoption of techniques developed for MOOC courses in the classroom (Brita-Paja et al 2019), the complete flipping of courses (Schrlau et al 2016), and the flipping or restructuring of entire educational programmes to focus foremost on student development (Cheville and Bunting 2011). Technology (ALT), a UK-based professional and scholarly society and membership organisation.
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