Development of  the Distinctive U.W.I. Graduate

21st Century Skills and the UWI Learner

 "I truly believe that my role is that of a mentor and facilitator in the classroom, where ‘learning takes place through the active behaviour of the student’ (Tyler, 1949). " Dr. Letetia Addison

Video: See my instructional method based on using a Mini-Conference to increase student engagement and enhance 21st century skills and the 7 Attributes of the UWI Learner. 

Development of the Distinctive UWI Graduate

In addition to my work as an educator, I have a unique lens through my work at the University Office of Planning, which has afforded me the privilege of understanding how the Strategic Plan influences all facets of the University, including the UWI learner.  An integral part of my Teaching Philosophy involves  ensuring that students in each of my courses enhance their 21st. century skills. 

With this I mind, throughout each course I reinforce the 7 Attributes of the UWI Learner.  Through my experience in the Certificate in University Teaching and Learning, coupled with my professional experience as a statistician at the University, I realised that I needed to go beyond merely stating these attributes in my course outline. 

My main reflective question:

How would my students understand this transition into the working world if I did not guide them throughout the course? 

In 2023, I transformed my course outlines to meet this need, successfully mapping the course learning outcomes to the attributes. I then linked these to the formative and summative assessments.  I used Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to enhance myelearning course space activities to meet these needs. See UDL in Course Design .

"This was also a turning point in my career. I realised that I further enhanced my Teaching Philosophy to ensure that my students meet the criteria for the real-world beyond the textbooks. "

I now showcase how my teaching strategies align with the development of the Distinctive UWI Graduate. By fostering critical and creative thinking, effective communication, IT skills, innovation, global awareness, and ethical responsibility, I aim to prepare my students to excel in their academic and professional pursuits. I highlight key aspects of my teaching approach, providing evidence of my commitment to these attributes and their alignment with my teaching philosophy.

I reflect on 

Some highlights from the PSYC 6013 - Advanced Statistics and Research Methods for Psychology (See Course outline here) show how I have aligned the attributes with particular in-class activities. These include:

One or more of these attributes were also displayed in the Mini-Conference Session, ensuring that my students are well-rounded and poised for the professional space.

Evidence for UWI Learner Attributes

Discussion Forum Post / Meme Assignment

To encourage critical and creative thinking, I incorporated a unique assignment where students create discussion forum posts and memes that relate statistical concepts to real-world applications. This activity not only engages students but also allows them to explore and communicate complex ideas in an innovative way.

Alignment with Teaching Philosophy: My teaching philosophy emphasizes a student-centered approach that fosters active engagement and creativity. By integrating discussion forums and meme assignments, I create an interactive learning environment that stimulates critical thinking and allows students to express their understanding in creative formats.

Evidence: 

(See these in Use of Humour in the Classroom)

Mini-Conference Presentations

I organize mini-conference presentations where students present their guided research projects. This activity helps them develop their public speaking skills and enhances their ability to communicate complex statistical findings effectively.

Alignment with Teaching Philosophy: Effective communication is a cornerstone of my teaching philosophy. I believe in preparing students to convey their ideas clearly and confidently. The mini-conference presentations provide a platform for students to practice and hone their communication skills in a professional setting.

Evidence:

(See From Research Proposal to AI-Guided Project)

SPSS Screencasts and Workshops

To ensure that students are proficient in statistical software, I provide SPSS screencasts and workshops. These resources help students navigate and utilize SPSS for their data analysis needs, making them IT skilled and information literate.

Alignment with Teaching Philosophy: My teaching philosophy includes the integration of technology and practical applications to enhance learning. By offering SPSS screencasts and workshops, I ensure that students gain hands-on experience with essential tools, bridging the gap between theory and practice.

Evidence:

(See Selected Teaching Footage )

Guided Project

The guided project assignment is designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurship. Students are tasked with analyzing real-world datasets, formulating research questions, and presenting their findings. This project encourages them to think creatively and develop innovative solutions to complex problems.

Alignment with Teaching Philosophy: Innovation and practical application are key components of my teaching philosophy. The guided project assignments allow students to apply their knowledge to real-world problems, promoting an entrepreneurial mindset and innovative thinking.

Evidence:

(See From Research Proposal to AI-Guided Project)

WiDS Datathon Participation

Participation in the Women in Data Science (WiDS) Datathon allows students to engage with global datasets and collaborate on international research problems. This experience broadens their understanding of global issues and enhances their ability to contribute to worldwide research initiatives.

Alignment with Teaching Philosophy: My teaching philosophy advocates for global awareness and interdisciplinary learning. By participating in the WiDS Datathon, students expand their horizons and engage with global data science communities, fostering a sense of global citizenship.

Evidence:

(See Inclusion of a Mini-Guided Datathon Project)

                                                     and 

Ethics for the Guided Research Project and Ethical Use of AI

I emphasize the importance of ethical considerations in research and data analysis. Students learn about the ethical use of AI and are guided to conduct their projects responsibly, considering social, cultural, and environmental impacts.

Alignment with Teaching Philosophy: Ethical responsibility is integral to my teaching philosophy. I strive to instill strong ethical values in my students by discussing the ethical implications of their work and guiding them to conduct research responsibly and ethically.

Evidence:

(See Guidelines for Guided Project)

Supporting Evidence and Resources

Conclusion

Through these strategies, I strive to cultivate the attributes of the Distinctive UWI Graduate in my students. By fostering a holistic and inclusive learning environment, I prepare them to be critical thinkers, effective communicators, IT skilled, innovative, globally aware, and ethically responsible individuals. My dedication to these principles underscores my commitment to excellence in teaching and the development of well-rounded graduates ready to make meaningful contributions to society.


Real-life Impact: My former students

Fun Fact: I still keep in contact with a few of my students in my role shifted from lecturer to life-long mentor. 🙂 I will showcase two of my top students from different years.

Mr. Kevan Rajaram: From Introductory Probability Course to Industry Leader 😃

My very first cohort of students in 2010 in the course Introduction to Probability Theory. One of my star students, Mr. Kevan Rajaram, excelled from his BSc. Mathematics to MSc Statistics and he is currently pursuing a PhD in Computer Science, while simultaneously fulfilling the role of a business leader in industry! Kevan and I have remained in contact over the years and I have also worked on projects. In 2022, we were part of a 7-member cross campus team where we won a the top prize in the GRD Climate Data Challenge hosted by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank. We developed a prototype to predict flood risk in OECS countries and also placed in the top 30% of the global leaderboard for the 2022 Women in Data Science Datathon Challenge. After these experiences, I can say that Kevan has truly impressed me with his career trajectory from his days in my Probability Theory Course to present day where he is a master of data science and analytics.

Kevan currently works at PwC Trinidad and Tobago, a role which I highly recommended for his skillset. See my recommendation for the role Kevan currently holds here.  Also see some of his recommenders who rated him as a colleague in terms of his ability to apply theory to practice. This is a true testament to my teaching ethos and philosophy as a guide in supporting statistical appreciation in the professional space. I am grateful that he has appreciated my consistent mentorship and support beyond the classroom.  


What do Kevan's former Colleagues have to say about his work ethic?  

Excerpts from his public LinkedIN profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevanrajaram/


Kevan's Feedback on my teaching abilities, where he points out that I was able to simplify complex topics and the evolution of our professional roles.

My Feedback on Kevan's strong work ethic and astute attributes, including a critical and quick thinker and problem solver among others. 

Kevan's former colleague on the Business Intelligence team points out his attributes, including highly analytical and highest level of productivity, owing to his critical thinking skills. He is also IT literate from through his affilitation with the Business Intelligence Team. 

Kevan's former colleague Manager points out his problem solving skills and aptitude in the field, as well as proficieny in software and IT literacy. 

Ms. Priya Ramdial: From Advanced Statistics Course to Competent Research Assistant 😃

Personal Reflections - Priya Ramdial 

Ms. Priya Ramdial, MSc Applied Psychology

Form PSYC 6013 Student ( 2019-2020 cohort)

Current Post: Research Assistant 


I am very impressed with Priya. I taught her Advanced Statistics and Research Methods in 2019. She graduated with Distinction in the MSc in Psychology. What struck me is that she had an exceptional command the content, even with a non-STEM background. In instances, where she required further clarification, she never hesitated to ask me questions. I notice her critical thinking skills as a student were superb as she demonstrated a willingness to connect the theory in my lectures with the practical applications in the software. I asked her to be a keynote speaker for my Mini-Conference presentations to provide the current PSYC 6013 students with some perspectives on Statistics and Data Analysis in Research.

She shadows me in statistical consultations and I have used her perspectives as my past student to improve my current course. Her reflections on the improvements has given me a different perspective on incorporating the student lens. I also recommended her to be a Women in Data Science co-Ambassador. She has shown that her critical thinking skills and UWI learner attributed have paid off in the professional world where she serves as a Research Assistant.

See Priya's testimonial, providing student feedback for my teaching practice here: Student Testimonials 

Disclaimer: All snapshots have been presented with permission.