Author: bradeyross

Peer Review – ChatGBT

https://sites.google.com/view/chatgpt-the-basics/home

This is a peer review of the interstice learning resource developed by Group B labeled as ChatGBT: The Basics

Course Overview

  • The course overview is nicely laid out and present a easy to follow website map
  • The use of hyperlinks is effective and clear and explains how to participate in the course

Learning Theory and Design

  • learning theory is clear and to the point
  • I agree that inquiry based learning is the correct choice for this topic and the rational given for this style is effective and clear

Learning Context and Inclusive Design

  • you give good examples on the learning context
  • You may want to include what is the prerequisite of the course
    • For example, is this course geared at first/second year computer science students, or can someone like Jeff down the street who doesn’t know what bluetooth is take this course

Learning Outcomes

  • The learning outcomes are clear and you have given outcomes that are testable and provable
  • The outcomes give a clear indicator of what the course content will cover

Assessment Plan

  • You have clearly expressed how learners will be graded throughout this course
  • Breaking up the course evaluations throughout each module like you have will be effective in reducing barriers to learning. You have eliminated the requirements of students to memorize the entire course for a 50% exam and instead have given ways for learners to express their understanding after each module. This is further beneficial to students will high text anxiety

Course Modules

  • Perhaps your modules may benefit from more pictures/videos to expand the learning methods in your introduction module
  • I like your proposed media of listening to Lex Friendman (Big fan)
  • I like your use of google forms for participation, the learners will be able to asses their understanding with the worry of being penalized
  • I really like the way you have broken up the big modules into a bunch of subsections, it makes the amount to content to seem significantly less daunting and allows for students to feel the sense of accomplishment for each page completed
  • The buttons at the bottom of each page to continue to the next module are very helpful, they give a very easy website navigation experience

Overall

  • Overall, the website is very well put together and gives a professional feeling to it
  • The design and development of the website is very attractive to the eye and allows for easy navigation between the topics
  • Module activities give a good way for learners to reinforce the topics they learn
  • Perhaps the use of visual effects such as photos/diagrams/videos may be beneficial. I believe this would increase engagement of the users reading through the modules and give an additional way to reinforce their learnings
  • This course would b beneficial to many learners. I myself am big into AI and even I learnt new things through going through this website

Video Connections

Great blog post! I appreciate the concise summary of the advantages and disadvantages of using timber and steel frames for home construction presented in this video. It’s an important topic to consider when deciding on the framing material for a house.

I particularly like the approach suggested for incorporating this video into a course. Asking learners to describe the advantages and disadvantages in their own words encourages active engagement and deeper understanding of the materials. Taking notes on the key points from the video would be a great way to reinforce the concepts.

Constructing a quiz to test the learners’ knowledge is an excellent way to assess their understanding. The immediate feedback provided by the quiz would be beneficial for learners to gauge their comprehension and identify any areas that require further review.

Learning Materials Through Videos

The following video is very useful when learning about building materials:

This video does a great job of giving a broad overview of the use of timber, steel, and reinforced concrete in structural engineering.

This video will likely cause the learner to critically think about each of the materials and analyze each of their pros and cons. These will likely be taken down as notes to use with class notes and to aid in assignments and test studying.

An activity that can come after this is a discussion post summarizing the video and giving their thoughts on the contents of the video. Following this, the learners would be prompted to explain which material they would use based on the facts in this video for a new house they are building.

Students would get feedback on their activity by having peers comment and discuss their posts with them. This allows for the linkage of ideas from different students and allows for the expression of different ideas. This would be mostly an online-driven activity, however, it can also be incorporated into the classroom by utilizing classroom discussions about the posts.

Overall, this work would be minimal. Given that the video is only 7 minutes long, it is reasonable to give a quick summary and provide thoughts as a whole. To scale this activity, groups of students could develop a more comprehensive report about the contents together and provide feedback to other groups.

This video is designed well to gain the attention of the viewers by offering face-to-face narration of the contents. However, to improve engagement and understanding, the publisher could improve more animations or visual effects to the pictures/videos within the video to give a better understanding of the topics.

Connecting Ethics and AI

Excellent post, Madison! I like the way you have seamlessly connected ethics with AI. It’s remarkable how crucial it is to prioritize strong ethical standards when leveraging AI, especially considering the challenges of programming ethics into AI systems.

As an engineer, I have a profound understanding of the need to establish a strong bond between ethics and AI. The use of AI to make critical thinking decisions in Engineering raises ethical concerns due to the inherent limitations of computers compared to the complexity of human judgment. While AI continues to evolve and improve in the years ahead, it is essential to address the ethical implications that arise from its integration into various fields.

Given the undeniable prevalence of AI in the education and professional world, it is vital to ensure that comprehensive lessons are taught to students and professionals alike. These lessons should not only focus on the technical aspects of AI but also emphasize the ethical considerations and responsible use of AI technologies. By equipping individuals with the necessary knowledge and understanding, we develop a culture that values ethical decision-making in the world of AI.

In conclusion, your post indicates your lesson plan will shed light on the critical connection between ethics and AI, and I agree with the methods you discussed in removing barriers for learners of integrating ethical considerations into AI development and usage. By encouraging a deeper understanding of AI ethics and promoting accessibility, we can lead the way for a responsible and ethical AI-driven future.

Extending Universal Design by Engineers

Ability is nothing without opportunity.

Napoleon Bonaparte

AAA, which stands for All Ages & Abilities in engineering, is a term often associated with car insurance and roadside assistance services. However, in the field of engineering, AAA takes on a whole new meaning, emphasizing the importance of creating transportation systems that are accessible and equitable for all individuals, regardless of their age or abilities. By incorporating AAA standards into the design of road networks, including multi-use pathways, public transit, and bike lanes, engineers can effectively address the diverse needs of the community and ensure that their designs promote inclusivity.

The concept of AAA includes various factors that contribute to the overall accessibility and usability of transportation systems. It goes beyond simply accommodating motorized vehicles and recognizes the importance of providing safe and convenient options for pedestrians, cyclists, and public transit users. This approach aims to create a transportation network that caters to the needs of everyone, promoting sustainable modes of transportation and reducing reliance on private vehicles.

Additionally, AAA standards encompass the consideration of the specific needs of individuals with disabilities or limited mobility. By integrating features such as accessible curb ramps, pedestrian crossings with auditory signals, and tactile pavement markings, engineers ensure that the transportation system is inclusive and accessible to all members of the community. These design elements enable individuals with disabilities to navigate the road networks safely and independently, removing barriers and promoting equal access to transportation.

The use of AAA in engineering highlights the importance of designing road networks that prioritize accessibility, inclusivity, and safety for all individuals. By incorporating multi-use pathways, public transit options, bike lanes, and various accessibility features, engineers ensure that their designs cater to the needs of diverse communities, promoting active transportation, reducing congestion, and enhancing the overall quality of life for residents.

This approach can also be linked back to a learning design of ensuring accessibility, inclusivity, and equity for all learners involved. Examples of this can include when the world transitioned to online learning. By ensuring the adapted learning design is accessible by all ages and abilities, along with understanding each learners personal needs and barriers, a successful learning design can be created. This may look like having recored lectures available for those learners who are required to be responsible for siblings, or monitoring individual progress to account for problems learners may face at home in a changing world.

Experimental Learning in Civil Engineering

Nice post Andrew! I agree with many things you touched on in this post. Hands-on learning is without a doubt a requirement in engineering, especially civil. Getting your hands dirty (metaphorically and literally) allows for a critical understanding of how materials behave and how they can be utilized in building. By linking the theory that you learning to the real world, you can drastically improve a learner’s ability to comprehend that topic.

Cooperative Learning in Construction

The construction industry can be metaphorically compared to a chain, where if one link fails, the entire chain breaks.

One of these vital chains is cooperative learning. Cooperative learning is a learning approach that emphasizes collaborative interaction among learners in small groups to achieve shared learning goals. It involves structuring activities in a way that students work together in a cooperative manner to complete tasks, solve problems, or learn new concepts.

In the context of engineering students, cooperative learning acts as a crucial link in the construction of their knowledge and skills. Just as a chain relies on each link to support the weight and integrity of the whole structure, cooperative learning plays a pivotal role in the development and success of engineering students. Furthermore, cooperative learning fosters the development of crucial skills necessary for engineering students. These skills include problem-solving, critical thinking, teamwork, and effective communication.

In the construction industry, various components need to come together seamlessly for a project to be completed successfully. Similarly, in cooperative learning, students must work together effectively, leveraging each other’s strengths and knowledge to achieve their shared learning goals. Each student’s contribution is like a link in the chain, essential for the collective understanding and progress of the entire group.

Connection to Learning Blueprint

In the development of the learning plan focusing on the selection of building materials, cooperative learning is an essential piece to include. After school, an engineering degree consists of collaboration in all work completed, and thus is it vital to include projects and assessments that focus on teamwork and the ability for small groups to apply their learnings to one another to achieve common goals.

This will be increasingly important in the grand scheme of choosing a building material for a specific project. It is easy for one person to be biased towards a certain project, even if it is not the best for the job, and by introducing cooperative learning the personal biases can be removed and a discussion can be utilized.

Reflecting on Mental Adaptations

Blog post published by Mara Lambert-Wilson

Something I can relate to in this post is falling into the negative mindset of not being good enough at what I’m doing.

Too often it is easy to fall into the stream of “I don’t know anything”, “ I will never get this”, “ I am not smart enough, not good enough”.

I have often found myself thinking this way, especially starting my university journey. The transition from high school to university forced me to be okay with not getting the best marks and not understanding things the first time, which I am sure many other people can relate to. This blog post summarized well the problems many people face not only in school but in their life as well.

Learning Experiences in the Workplace: Behaviourism, Cognitivism, and Constructivism

“This job is a great scientific adventure. But it’s also a great human adventure.”

Isaac Asimov, American writer, professor of biochemistry

Throughout my education, I’ve encountered various teaching methods that have shaped my learning experiences. In the workplace, interactions with supervisors and coworkers have presented valuable opportunities for growth. Drawing upon my experiences at BC Hydro, Lafarge, and EXP Engineering, I’ve been exposed to three teaching approaches: behaviourism, cognitivism, and constructivism. Each of these methods played a unique role in my professional development, offering valuable insights and enhancing my skill set.

Behaviourism at BC Hydro

During my time at BC Hydro, behaviourism played a role in my learning process. Supervisors and coworkers employed this approach by focusing on external skills I have brought and reinforcing positive behaviours. For instance, when I successfully completed a complex project such as a large concrete design, my supervisor and lead engineer would acknowledge my achievement with praise and recognition. This positive reinforcement motivated me to continue excelling in my work, reinforcing the desired behaviours and enhancing my job performance.

Cognitivism at Lafarge

At Lafarge, the teaching method shifted towards cognitivism. I had the opportunity to attend training sessions and workshops that were designed to expand our knowledge and enhance our problem-solving abilities. These learning experiences increased my critical thinking, as they encouraged us to analyze situations from different perspectives. By engaging in discussions with coworkers and participating in interactive activities, we developed a deeper understanding of the tasks at hand and acquired valuable cognitive skills.

Constructivism at EXP Engineering

My time at EXP Engineering provided a profound example of constructivism in action. This approach focuses on active learning, where individuals construct their own knowledge through hands-on experiences and collaboration. At EXP Engineering, I was assigned to a project team where we collectively worked on solving a complex engineering problem involving failing retaining walls. Through group discussions, brainstorming sessions, and practical experiments, we actively engaged in constructing knowledge. This approach encouraged creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, enabling us to find innovative solutions to the challenges we faced.

Conclusion

Reflecting on my experiences at BC Hydro, Lafarge, and EXP Engineering, I have witnessed the power of different teaching methods in shaping my professional growth. Behaviourism at BC Hydro reinforced positive behaviours and motivated me to excel. Cognitivism at Lafarge enhanced my problem-solving abilities and expanded my knowledge base. Finally, constructivism at EXP Engineering encouraged active learning, collaboration, and creativity. As we navigate our careers, it is essential to recognize the impact that various teaching methods have on our development and embrace these opportunities for continuous learning and improvement.