Addressing Engineering Teaching Issues in Online Distance

Learning

Stephen Reid

10 April 2023

Overview

• Evolution of online programmes delivered by IT Sligo.

• Current model for online programmes.

• KITE Project – providing Practical Labs

• Communication technology narrowing the gap between face-to-face

and online.

Initial Design

Learning Activities

Self Study

Existing ResourcesVLE

Attend for Practical

“Wrap-around”

Asynchronous discussion based learning. “Wrap-around” approachMason (1998)

Success of Initial Design

Dependent on topic

Management

TechnologyMathematical

B.Sc in Quality

Management

Successful

Less than

Successful

Wholly

Inadequate

Modification to Initial Design

Synchronous online classes

• Delivered each week

• Students can ask questions

• Recorded

Emergent Learning Model

Resources

SupportFeedback

LearningActivities

Handouts

WebsitesTextbooks

VideoLive Classes

Lecturer

Fellow Learners

Success and Growth

Criteria to measure pedagogical success

• Learning outcomes.

• Student satisfaction

Medium – not a barrier to learning.

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

500

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Students

Growth

• 17 Accredited Programmes

• Fee income - €2m 2009

Practical Labs – A limit to growth?

Following factors limit growth;

• Attendance requirement for practical labs.

• Staffing and Laboratory capacity

Knowledge and Innovation Transfer in Engineering (KITE) Project

• EU Funded, cross-border project.

• Delivering Labs … Online

CIM Lab – IT Sligo

“Training Rig” - IT Sligo “On-line student” - Anywhere

“Remote Access”

On-demand access 24/7

Give students remote access to software and hardware on campus.

“Software” - IT Sligo

KITE – Remote access to Labs

Live Class

Students remotely access PCs in IT Sligo Lab from home. During the live class the instructor can:

• Monitor student progress.

• Offer guidance through 2-way audio (VoIP).

• Take control of “student” PC to demonstrate solutions, when required.

KITE – Live practical classes …Online

Benefits

• Timing of practical labs and theory classes

• No requirement to purchase, install software

• 24/7 access

• All software versions similar.

• Potential to reduce travel.

Benefits and Success of Remote Labs

Success

• No significant difference in results compared to face-to- face.

• 80% would recommend online CAD training.

IT Sligo Online learning Model

• Financially viable

• High student satisfaction and learning outcomes

• Faster progress using traditional teaching techniques

Conclusion

Acknowledgements

Thanks to:

• Brian Mulligan – IT Sligo.

• INTERREG IVA programme, SEUPB and KITE

Project Partners

• KITE Team

• Lecturing and Technical staff at IT Sligo

• Frank Carter, Head of School of Engineering

Thank you!