Delivery

The department operates a model of lectures-only delivery, supplemented, for practical units, with computer workshops in student groups of about 50. These labs are supported by demonstrators, with the lecturer in attendance where possible.

Although the way that I have designed my course means that it is not really a computer-based unit, as there is no software development involved, I request computer workshops in order to have space and time for individual and group activities to support and develop the lecture content. The unit is experienced by the students as one large lecture and one lab-based practical each week. Lectures are used to introduce and cover basic content. Workshops are used for a range of practical activities and exercises, as well as for discussion and assignment support.

The lecture group size varies. This year there were about 160 students on the course. I find the lectures a difficult context in which to develop students' confidence and readiness to question and interact - particularly in the rooms that we have, which are large, steeply raked, and with difficult acoustics.

Some use is made of the computer systems for some of the workshop sessions, but frequently the major problem associated with the practical sessions is persuading the students to come away from the machines ...

The labs are used for individual or group activities and exercises which support the lecture topics, and for assignment support. For example, the communications exercise pictured (see right) is an activity which illustrates some of the difficulties and issues in communication, relevant to interaction & dialogue design.