DASS at UCT's 2023 Teaching and Learning Conference
Participants in a DASS workshop on data analytics.
The DASS participated in the 2023 University of Cape Town’s Teaching and Learning Conference, which offered two insightful days of discussions, workshops, and ideas on educational assessment. The theme of the conference was "Assessment Entangled: Rethinking for Excellence, Transformation, and Sustainability". At the conference the DASS team provided a workshop and presented with the Faculty of Health Sciences; the presentation was one of the highlights of the marketing and build-up to the conference.
In the two-hour workshop on "Know Your Course & Students (KYCS): A DASS Workshop on Data Analytics". Attendees were invited to explore the KYCS reports, which provide data analytics on students and their historical course performance. The workshop was attended by a diverse group of new and seasoned educators as well as students. They were interested in learning about the rationale behind KYCS reports and their development, and how they could impact their course design.
The original objective of the workshop evolved organically due to the diverse perspectives and backgrounds present within the group. The session was interactive and attendees were fully engaged with the team. The participants took time to analyse the KYCS reports of various courses and had discussions on trends observed in the performance of various groups. They also discussed how the cohorts compared to previous years, fostering a deeper understanding of the importance of data use and literacy. Attendees provided feedback on how and when they would like to receive the reports. It was a great learning opportunity for both the DASS and participants; some attendees even invited the team to present to their faculty and department.
The positive feedback and interest received from attendees reinforced the importance and value of data analytics in teaching and course design. The DASS looks forward to future opportunities to engage with interested stakeholders towards improving student success through data-driven insights.