Enhancing Undergraduate Learning through Effective Teaching of Research Methods
Location
Boston 1
Session Format
Presentation
Abstract
This presentation describes pedagogical approaches, strategies, and best practices in teaching undergraduate research methods. Undergraduate research is increasingly recognized as a vital component of higher education, fostering critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and intellectual curiosity among students. However, effective instruction in research methods is imperative to maximize the potential of undergraduate research experiences.
The discussion will include literature from the fields of education, psychology, and social sciences to provide an in-depth analysis of current practices in teaching research methods at the undergraduate level. The audience participants will examine various instructional models, curriculum designs, and assessment methods to identify innovative approaches that engage and empower students in research endeavors. The integration of technology and online resources in teaching research methods is also included in the presentation. When considering the evolving landscape of higher education and the growing demand for virtual learning, it is imperative to describe how much technology influences research.
Prior research emphasizes the need for a student-centered, scaffolded approach that gradually builds research skills, encourages critical thinking, and promotes ethical research conduct. Encouraging undergraduate research experiences as part of the broader curriculum fosters a culture of inquiry and prepares students for greater productivity in professional and personal contexts.
Keywords
Undergraduate Research, Teaching Strategies
Professional Bio
Meca Williams-Johnson, PhD is a professor of educational research at Georgia Southern University. She is a 2022-23 Georgia Governor's Teaching Fellow where she developed new teaching strategies to incorporate within her courses with undergraduate students.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Williams-Johnson, Meca; Walker, Kyle; and Mikels, Alexa, "Enhancing Undergraduate Learning through Effective Teaching of Research Methods" (2024). Georgia Educational Research Association Conference. 52.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/gera/2024/2024/52
Enhancing Undergraduate Learning through Effective Teaching of Research Methods
Boston 1
This presentation describes pedagogical approaches, strategies, and best practices in teaching undergraduate research methods. Undergraduate research is increasingly recognized as a vital component of higher education, fostering critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and intellectual curiosity among students. However, effective instruction in research methods is imperative to maximize the potential of undergraduate research experiences.
The discussion will include literature from the fields of education, psychology, and social sciences to provide an in-depth analysis of current practices in teaching research methods at the undergraduate level. The audience participants will examine various instructional models, curriculum designs, and assessment methods to identify innovative approaches that engage and empower students in research endeavors. The integration of technology and online resources in teaching research methods is also included in the presentation. When considering the evolving landscape of higher education and the growing demand for virtual learning, it is imperative to describe how much technology influences research.
Prior research emphasizes the need for a student-centered, scaffolded approach that gradually builds research skills, encourages critical thinking, and promotes ethical research conduct. Encouraging undergraduate research experiences as part of the broader curriculum fosters a culture of inquiry and prepares students for greater productivity in professional and personal contexts.
