TechnologyTechnologyEnhancement inEnhancement in

Peer TutoringPeer Tutoring

Dr Roger NgITC

4 Nov 2003

Acknowledgement

The author would like to thank the Hong Kong University Grant Council for the financial support of the Peer Tutoring project.

The author would also like to thank Dr Patrick Lai, for his leadership and assistant.

Agenda

Introduction Enhancing Credibility of Tutor Discovery Venture Learning (dVL)

– Manual Mode Vs Hi-Tech Mode

Sample dVL Case Technology Advantages and Disadvantages Questions and Discussion

Objectives

Develop best practice of peer tutoring program.

Execute the peer tutoring workshops. Verify the claims of benefits of peer

tutoring in U level.

Foreseeable Problem

What if the tutor fails to deliver the service?– wrong information?– no answer?

How to improve on communication?

Enhancing the Enhancing the Credibility of TutorsCredibility of Tutors

Enhancing Credibility of Tutor

As a quality assurance process! For Tutor:

– Increase self-confidence!– Gain insight into teaching as a career!

For Tutee:– Feel more comfortable!– Build up trust in the tutor!

Training of Tutor

Dr Patrick Lai trained the tutors on how to conduct tutorial sessions.

Subject Lecturer (Dr Roger Ng) trained the tutors on the context of the workshop.

Expectation

Nevertheless, the above training is insufficient to ensure the tutor’s smooth response to the tutees’ questions, since there are so many possible questions!

Therefore, the Subject Lecturer (Dr Roger Ng) should prepare the content of the workshop in a way to achieve “strict confidence in executing tutorial by tutor!”

Introducing The Introducing The Discovery Venture Discovery Venture

LearningLearning

Self-learning Software Design Methodology

Discovery Venture Learning (dVL)

What is dVL?– “Discovery Venture Learning (dVL)” is a

pedagogical and curriculum development system, motivating students to develop a self-learning ability to observe the world, to discover new phenomena, to access, to analyze, and to achieve.

Aims of dVL

This inherently self-initiative and independent learning process addresses the importance of education in promoting self-learning, critical thinking and problem solving capabilities.

In Another Words

Discovery Venture Learning is a learning journey of discovery, in which students can find their routes of achievements.

Format of dVL

Through a case study, students experience a venture, which involves the first four or more of these phases:

(1) motivating the students, (2) examining the phenomena, (3) discovering the similarities and

differences,

Format . Continued

(4) summarizing the observation, (5) postulating possible

explanation/strategy, (6) matching postulations with existing

knowledge for verification,

Format .. Continued

(7) if not successful, reexamining the phenomena,

(8) refining postulations/ strategies, (9) verifying the new postulations/

strategies,

Format … Continued

(10) solving a problem/ executing the postulates/ creating a new idea,

(11) deriving a new theory/ achieving a goal,

(12) searching for other possible applications of the theory.

Tools in dVL

The case studies are designed according to the following criteria:

1. a venture starts with an achievable goal that is of interest to the students,

2. the role of a tutor is to motivate the students’ interests and facilitate the other phases with:– “guided road maps” - check points for ensuring the

students are proceeding in the right direction, – “life saver” – hints for helping the students to raise the

right question and to break through their thinking.

Manual Vs High Tech Mode

Manual Mode– Life Peer Tutors helping the students in

presence.– Tried for two semesters.

High Tech Mode– Life Peer Tutors sitting behind the video

conferencing equipment.– Will try next semester.

Developing Developing dVL CasedVL Case

CAD/CAM ClassCAD/CAM Class

Objective of Venture One

Build a web-enabled virtual fashion show using existing library and the functionality of the Poser (Software by CuriousLabs).

Subgoals

Knowing how Poser works. Retrieving the dummy from the library and

put clothing on the dummy. Creating a walk path. Selecting the walk style. Exporting to web-enabled virtual fashion

show.

Motivating Tutees

Tutors can show the sample web-enabled virtual fashion show.

Let them know the expectation of the venture.

Ask them to find the way of achieving the venture themselves with minimal help from the tutors!

Designing Content

Some questions to be addressed: (1) How to help the tutees to focus on the useful

icons and concepts? (2) How the tutees may make the wrong attempt? (3) How to help the tutees to return to the right

track? (4) What kinds of hints and what level of hints

should be used to guide the tutees? (5) Where should the check point be set?

Venture OneVenture One

Virtual Catwalk

Peer Tutoring Peer Tutoring WorkshopWorkshop

Cat Walk with Poser

Introduction of Workshop

Road Map: Stage 1: Put the cloth on the mannequin. Stage 2: Choose the walking path and

walking style. Stage 3: Export the virtual catwalk!

What to do?

I shall show you all the steps now, and you need to work out the hints.

You should also practice yourself first and gain enough experience.

Observe the operational sequence. Observe the appropriate command.

Start PoserStart Poser

Open LibraryOpen Library

Select Figure - WomenSelect Figure - Women

Change FigureChange Figure

Select the Naked Woman

Select Clothing – Select Clothing – WomenWomen

Click the “Check” to Click the “Check” to load the shirtload the shirt

Oppps!Oppps!

How to put it on?

Ok! Get the pants too!Ok! Get the pants too!

Ready to select the pathReady to select the path

Now I am looking from Now I am looking from the top camerathe top camera

I can insert the walk path

The path is now The path is now straightstraight

How to walk?How to walk?

Select Poses – Animation Set from

the library

Press the “Play” keyPress the “Play” key

It walks on the same place?!

The Walk Designer Set The Walk Designer Set can ensure the cat walk can ensure the cat walk

is along the pathis along the path

Move the frame Move the frame triangle to the last triangle to the last

frameframe

Ready to add more action!

Read to export to WebRead to export to Web

Use Viewpoint Technology!

You can now view the You can now view the animation using the IE animation using the IE

or Netscapeor Netscape

You have just completed your first web-ready cat walk!

Impact Students have built up good relationships

between tutors and tutees! Tutees have built up trust in tutors! The venture helps students to build up their

confidence, both tutor and tutee! Tutees are motivated. Both tutors and tutees

learn the concept, and able to solve the problems.

The use of dVL has positive impact on Peer Tutoring!

Form of Communication

Manual Form– Direct face-to-face discussion– Hand on demonstration

High Tech Form– Still face-to-face discussion via video

conference.– Hand on demonstration via VNC software.

TechnologyTechnology

Video Conferencing

Single User Version

Resolution up to– 800 x 600.

Single version – similar to– Net Meeting

Conference Version

Resolution up to 800 x 600. Voice tracking Zoom lenses Rotating camera

VNC Software

Download Location

http://www.realvnc.com/

Future Work

The dVL with manual communication mode has been tested and successfully completed. We shall measure how much difference can dVL make with high tech mode!?

Additional Skills Needed

Tutors need further training on– Video conferencing– VNC

Tutees need further training on– Video conferencing

Proposed Advantages

No physical presence of tutor is required. Allow cross-regional peer tutoring. Force tutees to be more independent. With dVL format, it is possible to

automate and simulate the response of the tutors, and turn the peer tutoring into a virtual tutoring session. Just a thought!

Anticipated Disadvantages

Tutoring session may take longer time. Tutee may feel “remote”.

Questions and Questions and DiscussionDiscussion