Interactivity, Engagement and Community Building in Online HPC Education and Training

Authors: Julia Mullen (Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)), Weronika Filinger (Edinburgh Parallel Computing Centre (EPCC)), Ann Backhaus (Pawsey Supercomputing Center), and Mozhgan K. Chimeh (Nvidia Corporation)

Abstract: A significant portion of high-performance computing (HPC) education and training is centered on short courses, workshops and hackathons. While there is a substantial amount of content and documentation online, there are relatively few open access virtual courses. As a result of the shutdowns associated with COVID19, many HPC educators are scrambling to transition their events online. This paper highlights the key characteristics of Virtual Learning Environments (VLE), presenting challenges when it comes to interactivity, networking and community building, as well as focusing on primary advantages such as having events with no borders. Finally, we present effective strategies for transitioning to VLEs to maximize the experience.

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