Abstract
Since some students may not be interested in the subject material being taught, it is important to engage these students and to help develop an interest. One of the most useful means of developing students' interest on a given topic is to offer them real life experience. Chemistry students were given the opportunity to play the role of a research scientist and develop their research projects. Students were motivated, worked in cooperative groups, and were responsible for their learning. I will present a technique that has been used in my class including data from student surveys. Attendees will learn: 1)how the project was structured, 2)what were students’ perceptions about learning, 3)what were the benefits of teaching using research projects compare to traditional labs. The audience will be invited to share their experiences and ideas. Overall, participants can expect to learn about the importance of introducing research projects in undergraduate education.
Location
Concourse
Recommended Citation
Widanski, Bozena, "Using Research Projects in Undergraduate Classes to Involve Students in Learning" (2009). SoTL Commons Conference. 76.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/sotlcommons/SoTL/2009/76
Using Research Projects in Undergraduate Classes to Involve Students in Learning
Concourse
Since some students may not be interested in the subject material being taught, it is important to engage these students and to help develop an interest. One of the most useful means of developing students' interest on a given topic is to offer them real life experience. Chemistry students were given the opportunity to play the role of a research scientist and develop their research projects. Students were motivated, worked in cooperative groups, and were responsible for their learning. I will present a technique that has been used in my class including data from student surveys. Attendees will learn: 1)how the project was structured, 2)what were students’ perceptions about learning, 3)what were the benefits of teaching using research projects compare to traditional labs. The audience will be invited to share their experiences and ideas. Overall, participants can expect to learn about the importance of introducing research projects in undergraduate education.
