From what you’ve seen of the course so far and in the course outline, which of the assessment strategies in your reading this week are being used in this course?

Encouraging students to engage with and ponder on posts in “Week 1: Learning Motivation and Theory” facilitates ongoing learning and feedback. A critical formative assessment strategy is to contemplate how learning theories can enhance personal learning. Reading chapters and course materials, such as Chapter 11, implies that exams or written assignments may be implemented to assess comprehension. Students are requested to contemplate the potential applications of learning theories in practical situations, thereby employing their knowledge in real-world situations. Participating in discussions frequently involves cultivating an environment of self- and peer evaluation, as well as receiving feedback from peers.

Which are not being used?

There is no mention of midterms or final examinations, which are frequently employed as summative assessment instruments. There is no mention of practical demonstrations or assessments that necessitate students to exhibit their abilities in a controlled environment.

What learning theories (from Week 1) do these connect to?

Behaviourist principles of reinforcement and practice are consistent with the consistent feedback and reinforcement provided through reflective activities and discussion posts. Encouragement of students to apply theories to personal contexts and ruminate on their learning is consistent with constructivist principles, which posit that learners acquire knowledge through reflection and experience. Building knowledge through discussions and engaging with peers is consistent with constructivist principles. These activities are indicative of the connective approach, as they capitalize on the networked nature of learning, which involves students learning from and with one another. This motivates students to establish connections between a variety of sources of information and incorporate them into their comprehension.

How does it compare to other courses you’ve taken in your studies? Be specific in your examples and the theories and strategies that you’re connecting to.

Summative assessments, such as midterms and final exams, may have been more prevalent in conventional computer science courses. These evaluate knowledge retention rather than ongoing learning processes, which is more consistent with behaviourist methodologies. In numerous computer science courses, students engage in group projects that foster constructivist learning, which involves the collaborative construction of knowledge and its application to the resolution of intricate problems.

Behaviourism: In the context of learning programming languages, implementing consistent practice exams and receiving immediate feedback can help solidify your comprehension. For instance, regularly taking coding quizzes and getting instant feedback on your solutions helps reinforce correct coding practices and identify areas needing improvement.

Constructivism: By actively participating in discussion forums and reflecting on personal coding experiences, you can more effectively construct and retain programming knowledge. For example, engaging in online communities like Stack Overflow to discuss programming problems and solutions allows you to build a deeper understanding through social interaction and personal reflection.

Connectivism: Actively seeking and connecting various learning resources, such as online tutorials, professional networks, and collaborative coding tools, can enhance your understanding and application of new programming concepts. For instance, using GitHub for collaborative projects, attending webinars, and joining professional groups on LinkedIn can provide diverse perspectives and resources that enrich your learning experience.