Teaching Computer Science Remotely
As I have been a volunteer for TEALS, one thing has become clear: we will have to utilize remote teaching if we are going to be able to reach all students. As it stands right now, most schools do not have dedicated computer science teachers and must get help from programmers. In large cities, it is fairly easy to connect local programmers who want to help with local schools. However, due to the nature of the coding industry, programmers tend to congregate in larger cities. This makes it harder for schools in smaller towns to connect with programmers. Thus we need to find a way to teach computer science from a remote connection.
The setup my team has currently devised is far from perfect, but it's a good starting point.
First the tools:
- Computer for each student (they need something to work on)
- Headset with Microphone (for one on one conversations)
- Webcam attached to an on-site Instructor's computer
- Projector attached to an on-site instructor's computer
- Skype (we use Skype for Business)
- A continual Skype meeting for the classroom, and one for each student.
- Slack
So now that you have all the basic pieces, here is how they work together. First, the on-site instructor's computer will be hooked up to both the webcam and the projector. This computer will join the classroom Skype room. This will allow the remote instructors to see the whole class via the webcam and the class can see them via the projected screen. The instructor can also share his screen to the projected screen when needed for instruction.
When they start class for the day, each student should join their personal Skype call. For most of the time, they will be the only one in the room, but a remote instructor can hop into the meeting when individual instruction is needed. Finally, Slack is used to chat between the on-site instructor and all the remote instructors. It's especially useful in my situation, as we have a rotating group of four instructors with only two per class, so having a persistent chat is very handy for the transfer of knowledge between sessions.
As I mentioned previously, the system is not perfect. Being able to jump in on a student's computer is not nearly as convenient as being able to just walk up to them and ask how it is going. The students seem reluctant to ask for help from remote instructors as compared to the few times I was able to join the class in person. With Skype as it is set up with my team, there is no method to point at something or even take control. Seeing the whole class through a single webcam, which is often constrained by a number of physical concerns, doesn't really help engagement with the instructors either. Often, when I jump in with one student, I exist the classroom meeting, so I lose connection with the greater class conversation.
This post is a brief overview of the tech we use. I don't think it's perfect, but I think it's a good starting point. Writing this post has already gotten me thinking about other ways to teach remotely, and when I do come up with a solid idea, I will share in another post.
Good thema for job.
Interesting post/idea.
As someone who likes programming, has bachelor in CS and likes teaching/creating tutorials on that topic, I find this subject really interesting.
I actually believe that teachers should record themselves (as opposed to teach same lecture again and again) and have such remote tools for students that have problems and/or need help.
Let me explain what I mean.
As a computer science student of a rather well-known (and hard) university over where I live, I found it preferable to often just skip classes and learn on my own. Why? Well, I relatively early figured that when I find the same topic on, say YouTube from a well known channel, that guy/gal usually put more time into recording that lecture because he/she knew it would be there pretty much forever - and the end result is - it becomes easy to follow it, because they're not in hurry and would often "jump back in time" to explain something that you should know, but like - just in case. If the video/tutorial is going to be there forever, he/she might as well put the 110% effort in it.
On the other hand, when you go to university "in person", you have to rely on how the instructor feels today, whether he/she's happy or sad, angry or something else. I know those are not traits of professionals, but to be honest - teachers/instructors are human being after all and I understand why they can behave like that. I however had some amazing teachers who we at all times absolute professionals and going to their classes was a pure bliss, but sadly those were in minority.
But not only that, I realized when someone teaches a subject well in video form (by also anticipating questions students might have and therefore answering them on-the-spot without having to wait for students to approach him/her and ask that) you're usually left with no questions. Therefore it seems like great use of teacher's time if he/she records a lecture and spend the time he/she would teach it again on something else, while having that previous topic covered and in the medium it'll be forever accessible.
Anyway, those are just my 2 cents.
I have actually been reading about the concept of a flipped classroom where you record all your lessons ahead of time. Front loads a lot of work, but then students can progress at their own speed and get help from the teacher as needed. Doesn't eliminate the need for a teacher, but changes the structure of a class drastically. I've already been thinking about it, but you've certainly given me more to think about.
It's a delicate topic, that's for sure. It also depends on people's preference.
I'm just letting you know one's perspective.
Yes, teacher is instrumental - in the end he/she's the one who prepared/created such material in the first place, of course that person is important.
You can perhaps test it first-hand - next time when you're teaching a class something, try to be a bit more detailed than usual (e.g. anticipate some questions and answer them upfront, and also if there's some prerequisite knowledge that you could go over in like a few minutes, do it - even if entire classroom is nodding their heads "we know that already", I can promise you someone's sitting over there that's too shy to ask for help because everyone else seems to know it already #peerpressureisreal). Then see during that lecture how many people were confused and had questions. The less people that had questions/needed additional help - the more likely what you just did would of have made a perfect video.
Anyway your idea behind remote teaching is already pretty huge improvement I'd say, so thumbs up for that!
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