The Computing Instructional Support Team (CIST) has been providing support to instructors as they transition from in-class teaching to a remote teaching environment. The team has supported instructors by educating and providing resources to online tools and methods, as well as providing technical support for remote delivery in the Fall. Our instructors have been eager to make the experience as seamless as possible for all students, whether they are joining Queen’s for the first time this September or returning for their final year.
What can Computing students expect in a remote learning environment?
Computing students can expect the remote courses to involve a lot more asynchronous delivery, which means you can learn course materials at your own pace and at your own time. Instructors have taken diverse approaches to their course development. Some courses are entirely asynchronous with weekly targets/goals, and others include mostly asynchronous materials with some synchronous Q&A sessions to meet other students and instructors, both in a group setting and one-on-one.
As a student, it is important to take the initiative to stay on track with your learning. Since there will be few scheduled in-person lectures to attend to learn or ask questions, students should review the course timeline/schedule on the first day of classes and set aside time each week to get through the course learning materials. Some instructors will be providing you with short 2 to 20-minute videos, while others provided annotated PowerPoint, collaborative or individual readings, discussion boards to ask questions, and/or weekly coding activities. Regardless of the approach to learning this Fall, the diversity in the learning activities will keep you as a student engaged in your learning in many different ways.
What sorts of resources and supports are available for Computing students?
Your instructors will provide many methods to get support from them and the course TAs. Be sure to check the course syllabus first and use the approach that is suggested by your instructor for contacting them with questions. In addition to this, the Computing Instructional Support Team will be available to provide additional technical support within onQ and Microsoft Teams where needed. Before your courses begin this September, we encourage you to review the following resources below:
Using OnQ
Using Microsoft Teams
Getting Started with Microsoft Teams
IT Services Welcomes you to Queen’s
New Student IT Guide
Recommended Technology Requirements
Faculty of Arts & Science
Information for Students Fall 2020 & Winter 2021
Queen’s Accessibility Hub
Accessibility Services Information and Resources for Students
Student Experience Office
The Club Hub
What is the best way for students to make the most of their remote learning experience?
Remote learning can be challenging due to the lack of in-person interaction with your peers. To foster a sense of community in this remote environment, the School of Computing has set in place many opportunities for you to stay in touch with fellow students, staff, and instructors. Be sure to stay involved in areas outside of your academics, as a reminder that we are all in this together and you have a large group of supporters cheering you on for success.
Join our Undergraduate chair David Lamb, and our Undergraduate Administrator Karen Knight every Tuesday at 11 am for an hour chat in Microsoft Teams to stay in the loop about academic updates, get some emotional support during your remote learning experience and hear from, see, and meet your fellow Computing students.
Join our various instructors, staff, and students in our weekly casual coffee break every Thursday at 10:30 am for a 30-minute update. You can either listen or share something interesting about your life. These meetings are typically non-academic and a fun way to stay connected all year round.
If you are a first-year student, be sure to register for orientation week starting today. You do not want to miss this event! For many students, it is one of the highlights of their educational experience and a great way to meet students from your incoming class.
We wish you all the best for a successful remote term!