Abstract

Recent research has demonstrated that online and micro-modules video has several advantages over videotaping of lengthy lectures. For example, the micro-modules are more focused on the subject, higher quality and better made with intentionality, more suited for personalized learning, appropriate for skill-based learning, and constructive for learner-centred approach. Students have greater access to establish their own learning space, to revise and learn at their own pace and time (anytime-anywhere) in addition to the normal class schedule in campus, also at the same time prepare themselves for class discussion (flipped learning) to explore in greater depth and rich learning experience. Hence, in order to raise the quality of teaching and learning, the Engineering Faculty continues to promote and deploy video-based eLearning series for programming courses.

The main objective of producing this series of video contents is to develop an online video library of fundamental programming language including but not limited to introduction to C, C++, Java, MATLAB and Python. In addition to video-only micro-modules, we plan to consider enhancing the curriculum design by introducing animation, illustration and multimedia components as appropriate. The expected outcome of this project is to build a high quality of fundamental programming online catalogue and repository that serve the faculty as well as the university on promoting eLearning through effective and innovative courses using micro-modules video.

Brief write-up

Project objectives

The main objective of this project is to enhance the quality of teaching and learning in the Faculty of Engineering by developing an online video library of fundamental programming language including but not limited to Introduction to Python, C, C++, Java, and MATLAB. It is also a prototype to assess and promote the effectiveness of eLearning as an innovative pedagogy and serve as a direct evaluation tool to measure the students’ knowledge and understanding for each subtopic.

Activities, process and outcomes

We started the project with an overview of various fundamental programming online courses available and discussed (with Faculty of Engineering eLearning committee) how we can develop the unique CUHK Engineering online programming courses and micro-modules that would cater for the needs of first-year undergraduate engineering students. We progress by developing the module prototype and divide the micro-modules production process into three stages: Pre-production, Production and Post-production stage. We apply curriculum design by introducing illustration, online (coding) exercises and multimedia components as appropriate throughout the courses. The outcome of this project is a high-quality essential programming online catalogue and repository that serve the faculty as well as the university in promoting eLearning through effective and innovative courses using micro-module videos.

Deliverables and evaluation

The online video library will support the active and self-paced learning activities where progress can be measured through evaluation of codes following each quiz and coding exercises (using repl.it platform) after the students watch the video in each chapter. The online library resources will be delivered in five fundamental programming language courses: ENPL1010 Introduction to Python Programming Language, ENPL1020 Introduction to C++ Programming Language, ENPL1030 Introduction to C Programming Language, ENPL1040 Introduction to Java Programming Language, and ENPL1050 Introduction to MATLAB Programming Language that run on CUHK’s the Knowledge and Education Exchange Platform (KEEP) open edX platform in a self-paced online learning mode. Students can access the materials (with university account and CWEM password) in their convenience and progress according to their set timeline.

Dissemination, diffusion, impact and sharing of good practices

The materials from the online video library will be used in the coming fall 2019 semester of ENGG1110 “Problem Solving by Programming” class. Students in this class will be encouraged to register and visit the fundamental online programming course series during the period of the course. The online micro-modules library is also open and available for all registered students of Faculty of Engineering for access throughout the academic year through KEEP Open edX platform. We plan to present the project in the coming CUHK Teaching and Learning Expo 2019 to share the eLearning development process with teachers from other faculties and departments within CUHK environment. Also, we plan to write a conference paper to share the project as part of delivering eLearning innovation, teaching and learning enhancement at CUHK for the coming IEEE International Conference on Engineering, Technology and Education (TALE) in December 2019.