Navigating Remote Education: Persisting Through PSETs in Distance Learning
In the era of remote learning, collaborating on problem sets (PSETs) for an introductory course like Quantitative and Computational Biology (QCB 455) can present unique challenges. However, with the right strategies, it's possible to replicate the dynamics of in-person teamwork while leveraging the advantages of remote flexibility.
Use the Right Collaborative Tools
Employ cloud-based platforms like Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive to share and jointly edit code, datasets, and documents. Utilize project management or organization tools (such as Asana or Slack) to track tasks, share updates, and keep communication organized. Leverage video conferencing tools such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams for synchronous discussions and breakout rooms, which enable small-group brainstorming sessions or problem-solving activities similar to in-person group work.
Establish Clear Communication Norms
Set clear expectations for when and how to communicate, including core working hours if team members are in different time zones. Use instant messaging (Slack or similar) for quick questions and video calls for in-depth discussions to minimize miscommunication. Create a structure for sharing progress and feedback regularly, including synchronous meetings or asynchronous updates via recorded videos or shared notes.
Build Trust and Team Cohesion
Begin with ice-breaker activities or informal check-ins to promote team trust and comfort with collaboration early on. Arrange ongoing collaborative challenges, like paired problem-solving tasks (“brain teaser twins”), to build rapport and teamwork skills.
Leverage Collaborative Learning Techniques
Integrate active learning strategies such as think-pair-share in online breakout rooms, jigsaw problem breakdown, or collaborative whiteboards for shared coding and problem-solving discussions to mirror classroom interactions. Encourage transparent sharing of ideas and solutions, allowing members to articulate their thinking, ask questions, and provide constructive feedback.
Collaborating with friends, when permitted under a course's collaboration policy, can be beneficial for working on PSETs. While going over PSETs with people one doesn't know over Zoom can feel awkward, it has benefits specific to the remote experience, such as the ability to share screens and facilitate general discussion and the discovery of discrepancies between individuals.
In the QCB 455 course, keeping the group size manageable during PSET reviews can lead to more productive discussions. Reviewing PSETs over Zoom isn't quite the same as it was in-person, but it has some benefits that are worth taking advantage of, such as the ability to work with people from different backgrounds and perspectives. Explaining one's reasoning during PSET reviews, even if it seems redundant, can help ensure a better understanding of the material.
In summary, effective remote collaboration for QCB 455 PSETs combines technological facilitation (cloud tools, breakout rooms), structured communication (clear norms, scheduled check-ins), and ongoing social engagement (ice-breakers, collaborative challenges) to replicate the dynamics of in-person teamwork while leveraging the advantages of remote flexibility.
- Utilizing online education platforms, such as Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, Asana, Slack, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or collaborative whiteboards, can help junior students in education-and-self-development, like those working on a junior paper in Quantitative and Computational Biology (QCB 455), collaborate more efficiently by sharing and jointly editing code, datasets, and documents, promoting effective communication, and streamlining organization.
- Embracing learning strategies that encourage transparency, such as think-pair-share discussions, jigsaw problem breakdowns, or shared coding and problem-solving activities, can aid remote learners in actively engaging with the material and providing constructive feedback, thereby enhancing their learning experience and personal development in online-education settings.
