Some experiences with the "contributing student approach"

We report on our recent experiences with Collis' "contributing student approach" in two computing courses. Departing radically from traditional lecture-based teaching, the approach involves students preparing learning resources to share with other members of the class. Contributions are peer assessed, lectures become class meetings, and the course web page is replaced by a shared "wiki" collaboration tool to which all students can contribute. Consequently, students are inescapably placed at the centre of all learning activities.The approach may form a model for higher education courses that aspire to equip students with the skills necessary to function effectively in the knowledge era.