This project was funded by a Learning and Education Advancement Fund (2016–2019) —
Office of the Vice-Provost, Innovations in Undergraduate Education, University of Toronto
The focus of the Learning and Education Advancement Fund (LEAF) program is to enrich the learning experience of undergraduate students in first-entry Divisions across the University and to provide academic units with a mechanism for developing and enhancing the research, assessment, and application of high-impact teaching practices within learning environments at the University. The Fund is intended to support projects that will anticipate, leverage and create positive changes in both the modes and mechanisms of undergraduate education at the University of Toronto.
Predictive and Adaptive Learning Analytics in Online and Hybrid Course Delivery (2016-2019)
Our project made use of predictive and adaptive learning analytics with the broader goal of contributing to the re-invention and re-imagining of undergraduate education through the enhancement of the delivery of LIN204H5 English Grammar. This is a high-enrolment course that was delivered both as a fully online course and as a hybrid course taken by many international students as well as native English speakers and Linguistic program students to enhance their understanding of the structure and usage of English. The project’s specific aims were 1) to enhance student assessment and feedback processes to ensure all students receive optimal support and direction to achieve their learning goals; 2) to support independent, engaged, and self-regulating learners through the implementation of learning analytic tools; 3) to engage in the community of practice and support pedagogical change where best practices in online pedagogy are not yet well established. This was to be achieved through the dissemination of the methodology and mechanisms developed within the project; and 4) to increase the University’s presence in high-quality e-learning.
Dr. Eugenia Suh
Eugenia Suh was part of this project from its inception as a postdoctoral fellow with the Department of Language Studies. She completed her PhD in Linguistics, analyzing the use of nominal inflectional morphology in Korean heritage language acquisition. She was involved with LIN204 English Grammar since it was first developed into an online course and worked closely with me to analyse, develop, and improve course assessments. For this project, Eugenia compiled and analysed large amounts of student performance and usage data to assess the effectiveness of the assessments and to identify possible gaps in student learning. The results then informed the kind of online course structures she developed in order to further improve learning. Eugenia now holds the postion of Undergraduate Program Assistant in the Department of Language Studies.
Crystal Chow
Crystal worked with us as a course builder, adapting and creating various kinds of low-stakes online assessments for students. She came to us via the UTM Work Study program. Crystal graduated from UTM with a major in Linguistics and another in Chemistry and went on complete an MA in Linguistics at U of T St. George Campus. She speaks English, French, Cantonese, and Mandarin.