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Teaching Methods

The School has grown along with the University in the size of its student population, and is measured (in terms of student numbers) as one of the biggest computing departments in the country. We have reacted to the recent rapid growth by enthusiastically adopting many of the novel teaching practices gaining favour throughout Higher Education. We have played a leading rôle in all the activities fostered by the Enterprise in Higher Education Initiative, such as computer-assisted learning, development logs and industrial placements. While there remains a lot of scheduled lecture theatre activity, less and less of this is of the 'chalk and talk' form, and our students rarely spend their time transcribing notes.

In a practical School, it is no surprise that practical work is important. All modules have a formally assessed practical component, sometimes representing 100% of the result. These activities are supported by tutorials, help-desks and problems classes. Throughout their careers here, students are encouraged to take part in group work to foster the team skills that are part of their education; this culminates in final-year students actively 'managing' first year teams to deploy their experience.

Wherever possible, we involve research and industrial contacts in our teaching; lectures are given over to guest speakers and research staff, and the final year project conducted by all students is often arranged in connection with outside clients.

Our approach to teaching means that the qualification our students win guarantees them to be well-rounded graduates, technically literate, able to communicate and with a clear understanding of the needs of the outside world, and of their own rôle in meeting those needs.

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SCS Home Page, Introduction to the School, Research and Consultancy, About Leeds, Help
University of Leeds, School of Computer Studies
October 1995