Learning Transdisciplinary Collaboration: Undergraduate Student Perceptions of Successes and Areas for Improvement in Transdisciplinary, Problem-Focused Honors Seminar Courses

2021 ◽  
pp. 1932202X2110611
Author(s):  
Anne-Lise Velez ◽  
Stephanie N. Lewis ◽  
Raymond C. Thomas ◽  
Desen S. Ozkan

The honors college at a large land-grant research university developed transdisciplinary courses to provide undergraduate opportunities for small, student-centered classes and collaborative problem engagement in a global context. In these courses, students engage principles of competency-based education and inquiry-based learning combined with instruction in transdisciplinarity and decision-making tied to the college mission statement and course learning outcomes. As an observational study, we surveyed 91 honors students from 12 transdisciplinary courses over three semesters, asking five-point Likert scale questions and open-ended perspective questions at the beginning and end of each semester. Participants predominantly identified as White (74%), male (57%), senior-level students (67%), and represent 34 majors. Findings emphasize outcomes of lasting faculty relationships and opportunities to explore interests outside students’ majors, which respondents report influencing their academic development. Students also report areas for curricular improvement in developing research skills and engaging problem-focused experiences. We describe new offerings made to address findings.

NASPA Journal ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jackie Clark ◽  
Joan Hirt

The creation of small communities has been proposed as a way of enhancing the educational experience of students at large institutions. Using data from a survey of students living in large and small residences at a public research university, this study does not support the common assumption that small-scale social environments are more conducive to positive community life than large-scale social environments.


2013 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hawati Janor ◽  
Ruzita Abdul Rahim ◽  
Aisyah Abdul Rahman ◽  
Noor Azryani Auzairy ◽  
Noor Azuan Hashim ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig Shepherd ◽  
Doris Bolliger

Facilitating an online course in today’s student population requires an educator to be innovative and creative and to have an impactful online presence. In the current online learning environment (also known as e-learning), keeping students’ thoughtfully engaged and motivated while dispensing the required course content necessitates faculty enabling a safe, nonjudgmental environment whereby views, perspectives, and personal and professional experiences are encouraged. The educator must exhibit an educator-facilitated active, student-centered learning process, whereby students are held accountable for their active participation and self-directed learning while balancing a facilitator role to further enhance the learning process. This article explores one educator’s reflective practice process that has been developed over numerous years as a very early adopter of online education. It will explore the organizational aspect of teaching-facilitating a dynamic robust online course.


2020 ◽  
pp. 084653711989366
Author(s):  
Joseph Yang ◽  
Danny Jomaa ◽  
Omar Islam ◽  
Benedetto Mussari ◽  
Corinne Laverty ◽  
...  

Purpose: Implementing competency-based medical education in diagnostic radiology residencies will change the paradigm of learning and assessment for residents. The objective of this study is to evaluate medical student perceptions of competency-based medical education in diagnostic radiology programs and how this may affect their decision to pursue a career in diagnostic radiology. Methods: First-, second-, and third-year medical students at a Canadian university were invited to complete a 14-question survey containing a mix of multiple choice, yes/no, Likert scale, and open-ended questions. This aimed to collect information on students’ understanding and perceptions of competency-based medical education and how the transition to competency-based medical education would factor into their decision to enter a career in diagnostic radiology. Results: The survey was distributed to 300 medical students and received 63 responses (21%). Thirty-seven percent of students had an interest in pursuing diagnostic radiology that ranged from interested to committed and 46% reported an understanding of competency-based medical education and its learning approach. The implementation of competency-based medical education in diagnostic radiology programs was reported to be a positive factor by 70% of students and almost all reported that breaking down residency into measurable milestones and required case exposure was beneficial. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that medical students perceive competency-based medical education to be a beneficial change to diagnostic radiology residency programs. The changes accompanying the transition to competency-based medical education were favored by students and factored into their residency decision-making.


2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Rotthoff ◽  
Martin Stefan Ostapczuk ◽  
Judith de Bruin ◽  
Klaus-Dietrich Kröncke ◽  
Ulrich Decking ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
pp. 4-10
Author(s):  
Irini-Renika Popokammenou

One of the important roles and responsibilities of teachers is to conduct assessment to assess students’ progress. The implementation of alternative assessment methods can be frustrating and rather difficult for teachers. This paper discusses teacher and student perceptions on using alternative assessment. It focuses on how young learners of English perceived three different alternative assessments: peer-assessment, conferencing and the use of students’ drawings as assessment materials. The data sources comprised classroom observations, interviews with teachers and written comments from students. Analysis of the data provided insights on how teachers choose assessment techniques in A1 and A2 level classes. Teachers’ perceptions on the specific assessment methods are discussed. The written comments from students identified how students perceived the combination of the assessment methods employed by teachers and which assessment method they favored. The results show that teachers and students have positive perceptions on alternative assessment. Students’ needs and age are important factors for selecting assessment methods and individual needs must be taken into consideration when choosing alternative assessment methods. This paper highlights the importance of alternative assessment in A1 and A2 level classes since it can improve instruction. Results on the drawings used in the study as assessment materials indicate that students value personalized assessment. Alternative assessment can be a vital component in educators’ efforts to improve education.


2015 ◽  
Vol 32 (7) ◽  
pp. 12-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristin M. Woodward

Purpose – As a model of competency-based education (CBE), the University of Wisconsin (UW) System Flex options present a unique case study of challenges and opportunities for embedding student-centered library services and information literacy. Design/methodology/approach – In this paper, we describe strategies for engaging with the evolving Flex curriculum, the needs of an unknown student body and the role of new student support staff. The author notes the relevance of examining the library’s role in Flex at this time, given the potential for growth nationally in CBE. Findings – The challenges the author faced initially were closely tied with opportunities that once examined, formed the basis of the embedded library model for competency-based education. Further, the author found opportunities to articulate their role in Flex on their campus and share with other institutions. Originality/value – This case study is based on the author’s experiences embedding Information Literacy and Distance Services in the Flex option at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee.


KronoScope ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-54
Author(s):  
◽  

AbstractThis paper presents information concerning a specific undergraduate honors course on the interdisciplinary topic of time. True to the cross-cutting nature of time, the course was both led by and primarily taught by two professors from the distinctly different disciplines of information systems and psychology, respectively. It was offered as a special topic honors course in the Burnett Honors College at the University of Central Florida whose rubric ensured that enrollment was limited to a maximum of twenty undergraduate, honors students only. Additionally, selected auditors were allowed to attend specific, special events. The ceiling on enrollment proved critical since it allowed for a broad, discussion-based exploration of time, led on a number of occasions by specialist guest lecturers drawn from the arts, the sciences, and other speakers from well beyond the traditional confines of academe. There was a high demand for, and an excellent reception of, the course as offered. Due to the external constraints of the two professors involved, it proved to be a unique offering. However, the following description is provided for use by other teachers and professors who might wish to peruse and adopt the basic structure and/or some of the content that was collected and created.


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