Using Stack Overflow for Q&A in a large course
| Case owner | Stefan Hugtenburg |
| Course | Multiple. (Stack Overflow has been implemented in many courses in the Computer Science department) |
| Period | Throughout entire programme |
| Group Size | Stack Overflow works for any group size due to its high scalability |
| Tooling used | Stack Overflow (NB. Stack Overflow is a commonly used tool around the Internet, particularly (but not exclusively) in computer science communities. The instance we refer to in this case study is private to TU Delft students only.) |
| Media used | Web application |
| Key words | Gamification; Check understanding; Support with difficult assignments |
Short summary
Stack Overflow is an authentic learning space (used commonly in the computer science community and beyond) which allows users (students) to ask questions, answer questions of their peers, and receive additional information and feedback from teachers. As Stack Overflow is extremely common in the computer programming world, the aim is that using it (in a private environment) will allow students to gain support, build confidence and practise giving feedback to their peers in an authentic environment and prepare them for posting on the public instance of Stack Overflow in future during, for example, a programming job. Stack Overflow contributes to: 1) Better use of teacher time, 2) Improved student engagement, 3) A knowledge base that grows throughout the course (and, if desired, through repeated iterations of the course).
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The challenge that led to the implementation of Stack Overflow was that the growing amount of students enrolling in the Computer Science each year lead a lot of duplicated questions (both within and between courses) and that questions came in uncategorized. -
In thinking about ways to how to allow teaching staff to provide feedback more quickly and efficiently, Stefan Hugtenburg – together with his colleagues – came up with the idea to use a (private environment) of Stack Overflow to address this by improving student engagement through peer-to-peer questions and answers. -
Because of the peer-to-peer question and answer system and the improved student engagement, Stack Overflow contributes to better use of teacher time. Amongst others by avoiding duplications of questions, and allowing easy categorisation of questions; resulting in teaching staff being able to provide feedback more quickly. Next to this, Stack Overflow creates a knowledge base that grows throughout the course (and, if desired, through repeated iterations of the course). -
Stack Overflow…- Prevents duplications of questions by allowing students to upvote existing questions.
- Allows lecturers to prioritise their time by addressing high voted questions – either through Stack Overflow itself, or in a live session – and maximise the use of their time where it is needed most.
- Allows lecturers to also respond to questions, feedback on existing answers, elaborate with additional information, and mark answers as correct
- Makes it easier to organise and group questions in a manageable fashion which scales up well for very large courses through its voting and tagging mechanisms
- Offers game-informed incentives that promote participation.
- Creates a knowledge base that grows throughout the course (and, if desired, through repeated iterations of the course).
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Stack Overflow…- Encourages students to respond with answers to questions from other students, and promote peer-to-peer interaction.
- Allows students to gain support, build confidence and practise giving feedback to their peers in an authentic environment. Preparing them for posting on the public instance of Stack Overflow in future during, for example, a programming job
- Increases student engagement through its game-informed elements – as you answer more questions which are then subsequently upvoted by others, you build reputation and gain badges.
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- A new learning space for students and teachers such as Stack Overflow may need orientation if students and teachers are unfamiliar with it.
- To make it clear where questions should be asked, a crossover with existing tooling (e.g. discussion forum) needs to be considered.
- The game informed element of badges and reputation may cause less confident students to be overwhelmed by confident students gaining many badges/reputation points.
