Discussed during and after the presentation of Ms. Tham Chuey Peng. This blog post is prepared by members of DYOM LC (find more in About Us).
This blog post aims at taking an overview of Design-Your-Own-Module (DYOM) via Group Work with Supervision in AY 2019/2020 and AY 2020/2021. The overview is for awareness and discussion of commonalities, differences and other characteristics of some of the DYOM modules.
Design-Your-Own-Module Learning Community (DYOM LC) discussed the various DYOM via Group Work with Supervision that had been offered in NUS since its inception. This is one of the topics that members of DYOM LC has expressed interest.
These modules are presented in Table 1 (grouped according to the semester they were offered) and Table 2 (grouped according to the host).
Table 1. DYOM via Group Work with Supervision according to the Semester
| AY 2019/2020 Semester 1 (8 topics) | |
| Ideation and Validation for Entrepreneurs | School of Business |
| Deep Unsupervised Learning | School of Computing |
| Type Theory | School of Computing |
| Digital Innovations for Emerging Markets | School of Computing |
| Mathematical Systems Biology | Faculty of Science |
| Introductory Machine Learning | Faculty of Science |
| PERK: Re-thinking Peer Leadership | Office of Student Affairs |
| Machine Learning in Practice | NUS IT |
| AY 2019/2020 Semester 2 (19 topics, including 2 re-runs denoted with *) | |
| Dialects in Singapore: Hokkien | Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences |
| Effective Leadership in Action BIZ, Analytics and Operations | School of Business |
| Early Stage Commercialisation for Entrepreneurs BIZ, Strategy and Policy | School of Business |
| Readings in Distributed Systems | School of Computing |
| Advanced Data Structures | School of Computing |
| Category Theory | Faculty of Science |
| Practical Communication in Science & Math Outreach | Faculty of Science |
| Mathematics and Architecture | Faculty of Science |
| Chemistry of Food | Faculty of Science |
| Classical Field Theory | Faculty of Science |
| Electronics for Experimental Physics | Faculty of Science |
| Gallup StrengthFinder – Unlocking Your Hidden Potential | Ridge View Residential College |
| Creative Problem-Solving & Decision-Making | Ridge View Residential College |
| PERK: Re-thinking Peer Leadership* | Office of Student Affairs |
| Experiential Learning Cycle | Office of Student Affairs |
| Peer Supporting Peer | Office of Student Affairs |
| The Art & Science of Photography | King Edward VII Hall |
| Product Development | Temasek Hall |
| Machine Learning in Practice* | NUS IT |
| AY 2020/2021 Semester 1 (16 topics, including 6 re-runs denoted with *) | |
| Effective Leadership in Action BIZ, Analytics and Operations* | School of Business |
| Ideation and Validation for Entrepreneurs* | School of Business |
| Dialects in Singapore: Cantonese | Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences |
| Applied French for Business in the Real World | Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences |
| Creating Better Community Living Spaces | Ridge View Residential College |
| Helping Hands, Moving Bodies | Centre for the Arts |
| Experiential Learning Cycle* | Office of Student Affairs |
| Peer Supporting Peer* | Office of Student Affairs |
| PERK: Re-thinking Peer Leadership* | Office of Student Affairs |
| Seeds of Good | Office of Student Affairs |
| Creating Collaborative and Responsive Teams | PGP House |
| RH Phoenix Press Masterclass | Raffles Hall |
| RH Photography Masterclass | Raffles Hall |
| RH Videography Masterclass | Raffles Hall |
| RH Graphic Design Masterclass | Raffles Hall |
| Machine Learning in Practice* | NUS IT |
| AY 2020/2021 Semester 2 (13 topics, including 4 re-runs denoted with *) | |
| Computational Reasoning in the Corporate World | Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences |
| Distributed System 6.824 | School of Computing |
| Exploration of Computer Science Research | School of Computing |
| Bauhaus Campus 2021. Architecture Competition | School of Design and Environment |
| Practical Communication in Science & Math Outreach | Faculty of Science |
| Peer Supporting Peer* | Office of Student Affairs |
| Seeds of Good* | Office of Student Affairs |
| The Art and Science of Photography* | King Edward VII Hall |
| Introduction to Digital Marketing | Temasek Hall |
| Introduction to Web Application Development | Temasek Hall |
| Outdoor Activities Committee | Temasek Hall |
| Overseas CIP in Chiang Mai, Thailand | Temasek Hall |
| Machine Learning in Practice* | NUS IT |
Table 2. DYOM via Group Work with Supervision according to the Host
| Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences | |
| Dialects in Singapore: Hokkien | AY 2019/2020 Semester 2 |
| Dialects in Singapore: Cantonese | AY 2020/2021 Semester 1 |
| Applied French for Business in the Real Worlds | AY 2020/2021 Semester 1 |
| Computational Reasoning in the Corporate World | AY 2020/2021 Semester 2 |
| School of Business | |
| Ideation and Validation for Entrepreneurs | AY 2019/2020 Semester 1
AY 2020/2021 Semester 1 |
| Effective Leadership in Action BIZ, Analytics and Operations | AY 2019/2020 Semester 2
AY 2020/2021 Semester 1 |
| Early Stage Commercialisation for Entrepreneurs BIZ, Strategy and Policy | AY 2019/2020 Semester 2 |
| School of Computing | |
| Deep Unsupervised Learning | AY 2019/2020 Semester 1 |
| Type Theory | AY 2019/2020 Semester 1 |
| Digital Innovations for Emerging Markets | AY 2019/2020 Semester 1 |
| Readings in Distributed Systems | AY 2019/2020 Semester 2 |
| Advanced Data Structures | AY 2019/2020 Semester 2 |
| Distributed System 6.824 | AY 2020/2021 Semester 2 |
| Exploration of Computer Science Research | AY 2020/2021 Semester 2 |
| School of Design and Environment | |
| Bauhaus Campus 2021. Architecture Competition | AY 2020/2021 Semester 2 |
| Faculty of Science | |
| Mathematical Systems | AY 2019/2020 Semester 1 |
| Introductory Machine Learning | AY 2019/2020 Semester 1 |
| Category Theory | AY 2019/2020 Semester 2 |
| Practical Communication in Science & Math Outreach | AY 2019/2020 Semester 2
AY 2020/2021 Semester 2 |
| Mathematics and Architecture | AY 2019/2020 Semester 2 |
| Chemistry of Food | AY 2019/2020 Semester 2 |
| Classical Field Theory | AY 2019/2020 Semester 2 |
| Electronics for Experimental Physics | AY 2019/2020 Semester 2 |
| Office of Student Affairs | |
| PERK: Re-thinking Peer Leadership | AY 2019/2020 Semester 1
AY 2019/2020 Semester 2 AY 2020/2021 Semester 1 |
| Experiential Learning Cycle | AY 2019/2020 Semester 2
AY 2020/2021 Semester 1 |
| Peer Supporting Peer | AY 2019/2020 Semester 2
AY 2020/2021 Semester 1 AY 2020/2021 Semester 2 |
| Seeds of Good | AY 2020/2021 Semester 1
AY 2020/2021 Semester 2 |
| Ridge View Residential College | |
| Gallup StrengthFinder – Unlocking Your Hidden Potential | AY 2019/2020 Semester 2 |
| Creative Problem-Solving & Decision-Making | AY 2019/2020 Semester 2 |
| Creating Better Community Living Spaces | AY 2020/2021 Semester 1 |
| Centre for the Arts | |
| Helping Hands, Moving Bodies | AY 2020/2021 Semester 1 |
| King Edward VII Hall | |
| The Art & Science of Photography | AY 2019/2020 Semester 2
AY 2020/2021 Semester 2 |
| PGP House | |
| Creating Collaborative and Responsive Teams | AY 2020/2021 Semester 1 |
| Raffles Hall | |
| RH Phoenix Press Masterclass | AY 2020/2021 Semester 1 |
| RH Photography Masterclass | AY 2020/2021 Semester 1 |
| RH Videography Masterclass | AY 2020/2021 Semester 1 |
| RH Graphic Design Masterclass | AY 2020/2021 Semester 1 |
| Temasek Hall | |
| Product Development | AY 2019/2020 Semester 2 |
| Introduction to Digital Marketing | AY 2020/2021 Semester 2 |
| Introduction to Web Application Development | AY 2020/2021 Semester 2 |
| Outdoor Activities Committee | AY 2020/2021 Semester 2 |
| Overseas CIP in Chiang Mai, Thailand | AY 2020/2021 Semester 2 |
| NUS IT | |
| Machine Learning in Practice | AY 2019/2020 Semester 1
AY 2019/2020 Semester 2 AY 2020/2021 Semester 1 AY 2020/2021 Semester 2 |
Sharing of broad overview of various DYOM opens deeper awareness and interest on the motivation, operationalization, and practices of DYOM. The following points were raised.
1. Awareness Talks & Publicity of DYOM
It was discussed that awareness talks about DYOM would lead to an increase in DYOM topics. For example, when talks were organised to Masters of Halls of Residences and Residential Colleges before the start of AY 2019/2020 Semester 2, there were more topics hosted by Halls of Residences and Residential Colleges. This points to the possibility that there has been interest in pursuing learning flexibly (while earning modular credits) and that awareness talks will inform students and staff that there is DYOM as an avenue.
2. Class Sizes
While a minimum of 10 students is required to start a DYOM, there is no maximum number of students. However, it has been shared through experience that limiting the class-size to 40 students can retain a good learning experience.
3. Student Engagement in Designing the Module
DYOM opens the possibility for students to design the module: intended learning outcomes, assessment tasks, learning activities etc. The level of student engagement in designing the module varies among modules; some modules are driven by students with very little intervention from staff, while some other modules require significant intervention from staff. Many factors may determine the level of student engagement, such as the entrepreneurial and leadership spirit of students who lead the DYOM team. Further study may be pursued about these factors.
4. Student Motivation Taking DYOM
In modules that involve student leaders in residences, one motivation was that some student leaders themselves are keen to have their leadership activities, which they have been doing anyway, be credited. DYOM is a welcomed opportunity to do so, even if it means some extra work. For staff advisors, DYOM provides a platform to bring together student leaders from various halls and afford them the opportunity to learn and discuss about leadership.
In general, the opportunity to learn a topic of interest and the pass-fail grading may be a motivating factor for students to take DYOM.
5. Re-run of DYOM and Taking DYOM across Units
The possibility of re-running DYOM was discussed. While much of the module can be designed like the previous run, some tweaks can be introduced in a re-run.
Furthermore, an idea of taking DYOM across units was discussed. For example, the topic of leadership is popular among student leaders. Some units host DYOM on the topic. Students from other units/faculties, who may also be interested learning about leadership, may not know about the topic being hosted in another unit. This situation may point to the need of publicizing DYOM that are going to run so that students in other units may consider joining. Further study may be pursued about this, including learning how different units conduct DYOM topics that may sound similar.
Closing
Other than the two points for further study (i.e., student engagement and understanding how different units conduct DYOM), another area that may need further consideration is managing the workload in conducting DYOM, as DYOM requires different approach than teaching other modules.