Academic List-O-Gratitude

December 29, 2020 Dan Gillis Communication, Education and Outreach, Science in Society, Technology and Engineering

As I mentioned in my previous post, I ended the fall semester rather exhausted and more than ready to tie a ribbon around it and call it done. The year was challenging for everyone, so I don’t think I’m alone in thinking that there will be a sense of relief and renewed hope as theContinue reading "Academic List-O-Gratitude"

Reflecting On Fall 2020

December 24, 2020 Dan Gillis Communication, Education and Outreach, Science in Society, Technology and Engineering

As of Monday I submitted the last of the final grades for the fall 2020 semester, putting to an end one of the most bizarre teaching experiences I’ve ever had. While I’m normally happy to submit grades for courses I’ve taught, Monday’s emotional response was a mix of happy dancing, exhausted tears, and giddy laughter.Continue reading "Reflecting On Fall 2020"

Congratulations Marshall

November 6, 2020 Dan Gillis Communication, Education and Outreach, Science in Society, Technology and Engineering

I am really excited to announce that Marshall Asch was recently awarded an NSERC scholarship in recognition of his academic accomplishments and his proposed graduate research. Marshall is currently completing his Master’s in Computer Science. While we’ve known about his award for several months, we weren’t allowed to celebrate it publicly until NSERC had releasedContinue reading "Congratulations Marshall"

One Foot In Front Of The Other

November 2, 2020 Dan Gillis Communication, Education and Outreach, Science in Society, Technology and Engineering

It’s Monday, November 2nd. Today begins week 8 of the 12-week fall 2020 semester here at the University of Guelph. The exhaustion I felt four weeks ago has not let up. Everything, everything, absolutely everything is challenging in a way that I have never quite experienced before. I am raw and tired and drained, andContinue reading "One Foot In Front Of The Other"

I Am Exhausted

October 5, 2020 Dan Gillis Communication, Education and Outreach, Science in Society, Technology and Engineering

Today I began the 4th week of the Fall 2020 semester, and I can honestly say that I am more exhausted now than I have ever been this early in the academic year. My energy and motivation levels are incredibly low, I am physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted, and every single news story seems designedContinue reading "I Am Exhausted"

A Wake Up Call

September 23, 2020 Dan Gillis Communication, Education and Outreach, Science in Society, Technology and Engineering

As I was revamping CIS3750 for online delivery this summer I began searching for a better way to do peer evaluations. The course is highly dependent on team work and I wanted students to be able to easily identify when peers were going above and beyond or perhaps not living up to expectations. To assistContinue reading "A Wake Up Call"

Representing The Diversity Of Computer Science

September 18, 2020 Dan Gillis Communication, Education and Outreach, Science in Society, Technology and Engineering

A few years ago I redeveloped the slides I use for CIS3750 – a third year software design course that is required for all students in the Bachelor of Computing program. As part of that process, I used a Google Slides template called Jachimo and office characters by Alekksall at Freepik.com because the slides lookedContinue reading "Representing The Diversity Of Computer Science"

Far From Perfect, But Good Enough

September 12, 2020 Dan Gillis Communication, Education and Outreach, Science in Society, Technology and Engineering

On Thursday I hosted the first class meetings for CIS3750 and CIS4020. I was incredibly worried and anxious prior to class. Despite having spent the entire summer working to transition the courses to online formats, I had this nagging feeling that I forgot something, that the technology would fail, or that the students wouldn’t engage.Continue reading "Far From Perfect, But Good Enough"

Reclaiming My Time

August 26, 2020 Dan Gillis Communication, Education and Outreach, Science in Society, Technology and Engineering

I went to bed last night feeling Friday-night level exhausted, again. I’m sure I’m not the only one feeling this way. The summer of COVID-19 has been extremely busy, and while I am grateful that I got to spend it with so many fantastic students who have done incredible work during such uncertain times, IContinue reading "Reclaiming My Time"

Introducing Our CIS3750 Community Partner For Fall 2020

August 24, 2020 Dan Gillis Communication, Education and Outreach, Science in Society, Technology and Engineering

Since 2012, students enrolled in CIS3750 (Systems Analysis & Design in Applications) at the University of Guelph have worked with charitable and not-for-profit organizations to develop computer science and software engineering solutions to a variety of social challenges. Solutions have spanned the domains of food security, education, and personal and public health, and have beenContinue reading "Introducing Our CIS3750 Community Partner For Fall 2020"

Author: Dan Gillis