Data Driven Design: Quercus Record Store (D3:QRS)

Data Driven Design: Quercus Record Store, 2023-24 
Program Information

Overview

The Data-Driven Design: Quercus Record Store (D3:QRS) initiative will allow instructors to explore the newly developed University of Toronto learning analytics dashboard using data accessed through a new Quercus Record Store (QRS) infrastructure.  Building on our earlier cohorted programming, the 2023-2024 cycle will pilot the new dashboard, providing access to detailed reports of student activity in Quercus to inform course design decisions. Six successful applicants will work collaboratively over a six-month period starting in fall 2023, advancing inquiry questions to test the practical use of the new tools in an authentic course teaching context. The D3:QRS project team will provide consulting support to participating instructors considering modifications to course design informed by the available dashboard data visualizations. Program activities generate feedback on instructors’ experiences with the interface and support materials to inform ongoing dashboard development.  The six-month program will conclude with a community-sharing event and publication of a report on outcomes on the Open UToronto web site in winter 2024. 

An honorarium of $1,000 will be awarded to successful applicants.

Criteria for application:  

U of T instructors who meet the following criteria can apply for the D3:QRS cohort: 

  • Hold a University of Toronto continuing appointment (Tenure Stream, Teaching Stream).
  • Teaching a course during fall 2023 term identified for the D3:QRS program activity (Note: comparison with fall 2022 course data anticipated within data sets).
  • Available for three meetings over the fall and early winter term for orientation, program activities and de-brief.

Format: 

  • Instructors participate in one orientation workshop session meeting in September 2023 and two additional workshops during the fall 2023 term. Workshops will explore applied use of new dashboards to inform course planning.  
  • Instructors will be supported in use of the new dashboard tools and making meaning of data by the project coordinators during meetings and/or individual consultations as needed.
  • Instructors will participate in feedback activities, including focus group discussions, surveys and final short report on opportunities and challenges. 

 Participant deliverables: 

  • Participation in three virtual workshop meetings to explore the use of new dashboard in an applied course planning context.
  • Provision of feedback to inform work of dashboard development team.
  • Instructor project reports evaluating impact of the redesign using analytic data.
  • Participation in showcase of insights and outcomes resulting from the program activity.

Use of Funds

The financial incentive for participating in this program is a $1,000 honorarium to be used by the instructor at their discretion. Uses of funds may include:

  • personal development activities (e.g. conference attendance, fees).
  • software or hardware purchases.
  • TA/RA support for course design/scholarly activity.

Instructor incentive funding is on a one-time only (OTO) basis. 

Evaluation Process

The review committee will consider proposals based on Data-Driven Design: Quercus Analytics Funding Rubric. Recommended proposals will be forwarded to the Office of the Vice-Provost, Innovations in Undergraduate Education for final review and approval.

Other Application Details:

Prior to approval, successful applicants will be asked to provide further documentation indicating endorsement of the department chair. Confirmation of acceptance of successful proposals will be received via email/letter from the Office of the Vice-Provost, Innovations in Undergraduate Education.

3. D3-QRS Rubric 2023-34Download