The C Programming Language | A Lesson about how to make a dry topic engaging when teaching online.
Channel: Teaching and Learning
Date: 2023-06-28

In this episode, we speak with Karen Kokkelink,  a one-time design engineer who raced GM cars around the track to test suspension, now a Professor with the Electrical & Energy Systems Engineering Technology Program at Conestoga.  

A self-described “stereotypical shy engineer”, Karen discusses why she loves teaching large first year foundational courses at Conestoga and how she’s managed to successfully engage students while teaching online. Rather than choose a favourite lesson that she has always found fun and easy to teach, Karen opted to share with us a very thoughtful BOPPPS lesson about a complex and specific topic students typically aren’t overly excited to explore. Karen shares active learning strategies she employs to help students monitor their own progress, feel less alone in their confusion, respond to one another’s “muddiest points”, and that encourage participation from start to finish.