Realising core graduate attributes in Computer Science through a CPR (Collaboration-Participation-Relevance) approach to teaching

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Research and Development in Higher Education Vol. 27: Transforming Knowledge into Wisdom Holistic Approaches to Teaching and Learning

July, 2004, 359 pages
Published by
ISBN
0 90 8557 58 2
Abstract 

This paper describes an approach to teaching developed in response to the introduction of the Core Graduate Attributes (CGA) Policy at Victoria University. The policy recommends that, upon graduation, students be equipped with a variety of skills including the ability to solve problems, communicate well, work autonomously and collaboratively, and to perform effectively in diverse settings. The CPR approach aims to realise these policy objectives by emphasising collaboration, participation and relevance in teaching and learning. This paper reports on the application of the CPR approach to three subjects of an undergraduate Computer Science course. In the first year programming subject, the focus was on honing initiative and collaborative skills. To this end, group assignments and open-ended scaffolded assignments were introduced as part of the assessment. The assignments were divided into two parts; part one required a standard solution, and was to be attempted by all students; part two recommended, and called for, possible extensions, allowing students to use their initiative and gain additional marks. The CGAs addressed in the second year Intelligent Systems subject included evaluation and effective management of information, as well as communication and presentation skills. Here, student ‘experts’ assumed the roles of lecturers, presenters and demonstrators; they showcased their research, demonstrated applications of commercial software, and presented solutions to pertinent artificial intelligence problems. In the final year Project subject, involving the design and implementation of a real-life computer application for an external client, the emphasis was on problem solving skills, communication skills, leadership qualities, and personal presentation.

Keywords: Learning; graduate attribute; computer science.