The lecture was interesting and engaging. The comparisons through the panel groups were elaborative and mind opening. In fact, I appreciate professors who see from students’ perspective and start working on engaging students and educating them at the same time. - Mohamed Mohamed, student blogpost.
Quote from the panel
4) Voice and Choice: Speak Up, Listen More. Thomas DeVere Wolsey (GSE) and Karim Selim (ECON)
This talk focused on participation. The instructor’s role is to efficiently encourage participation which is not just participating vocally but also listening. Thomas mentioned how participating by listening is something that is not measurable, but it is important to recognize how difficult it is to speak up in class; many students question themselves before asking a question because they are afraid of looking dumb. Sharing assignments in teams are powerful ways to encourage efficient participation. Also, the instructor has to provide incentives for the students to participate and allow the shy ones to break the ice and making attempts. Presenters mentioned the dilemma that evidence of participation is not always the best indicator of what the student has in mind or their performance on other assessments such as exams. Karim feels that a professor’s attitude is what makes students engage and participate.
5) The components of a grade. Ezzeldin Yazeed Sayed-Ahmed and Sahar Bader (CENG)
In this talk, Sahar mentioned the components of a grade in Structural Engineering, which are direct assessments (assignments, projects, exams), participation, incorporation of instructor feedback, innovative approaches (extra effort from students to think outside the box) and communication skills in presentations. Ezzeldin questioned whether the practice of weighing 50% of a grade on exams is reasonable. Sahar felt that it was reasonable given many of their exams were take home exams. Ezz felt that we should questions whether this makes sense as he believes it is not fair. Unlike other panelists, Ezzeldin felt we should remember that grades are important and looked upon by future graduate schools and some employers.
This panel is truly one of the best experiences that I have had at the AUC and I have to say that when I was offered this opportunity I didn’t hesitate to join but it was definitely a step out of my comfort zone because it was unlike any other presentation that I was part of before. - Nour Khashaba, student-presenter blogpost.
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