[August 28, 2025] Appointed instructor for ESOF 4557-FA (Data & Digital Communications), Fall 2025. Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada.
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Practical Assessments: Given the practical nature of this course, all assessments were entirely practical, allowing students to write, test, and submit their FORTRAN code in an online environment. The emphasis was placed on application rather than memorization, with theoretical or rote questions intentionally avoided.
In-Lecture Quizzes: Short quizzes during lectures to maintain engagement and check understanding.
Progressive Quiz Design: The same base question was reused with added requirements to teach step-by-step program development.
Team Projects: Final projects completed in groups to simulate real-world teamwork and build collaboration skills.
Office Hours: Offered extra support outside of class to help struggling students build confidence and stay on track.
Encouraging Questions: Created a supportive environment where students were encouraged to ask questions, boosting self-confidence and critical thinking.
Welcoming all questions, no matter how basic.
Paused regularly to invite questions during lectures.
Used anonymous tools for shy students (eg, sending an email).
Gave participation credit for thoughtful questions.
Normalized mistakes by sharing common misconceptions.
Dr. M. AbuFoul is an exceptional instructor who came to each class and worked extremely hard through examples to teach the students how to work with the Fortran Software. It came to my attention from external sources in the Thunder Bay Community that he has family in war-torn Gaza at the moment, and I would like to recognize that regardless he has been strictly involved in lecturing the class and going above and beyond to assist each and everyone of his students.
The course was interesting and coding was fun when I wasn’t stressed out about other classes. It was also satisfying to see the finished codes do exactly what I wanted them to do. Mr. AbuFoul was extremely helpful and personable when I didn’t understand something or when I was experiencing technical difficulties.
I found it very interesting to learn how a computer thinks. The professor did an amazing job of answering my questions in a timely and easy-to-understand manner.
When I started the class I had no idea what coding was and you helped me to understand the basics of coding, even though I was not really good at it. I had not a lot of interest in coding but you tried making the classes interesting and allowed problems to try out in class. I don't think I will do much more coding in the future but if I do I will think about this class.
I felt like the course proceeded at a good pace. However, it was more challenging at the beginning to diagnose faults because I lacked knowledge of the syntax and error codes. As the course progressed, this problem subsided.
Thank you for everything. It was great to have you this semester; your tutorials really helped clarify topics for me, and I appreciate your help. Have a great rest of your summer, and thank you!
Thank you, Mohammed, for all your work and patience. Best of luck with everything
Thank you for everything this semester, sir. Take care.
Thank you for everything, Mohammed! If I pass this class, it'll be all thanks to your tutoring. Thanks for all the patience.
Thank you, Mohammed, for all the work and help these classes gave me! Have a great rest of your day!
Thank you, Mohammed! Best of luck, and I can't wait for you to have your PhD
Thank you for all your help with the course.
Thanks very much for the big effort you have made for us
Cheers Mohammed! Thank you for all your help, and see you in Tbay.
Thank you for everything, Mohammed. These tutorial sessions were very helpful. Have a good evening.
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