scholarly journals Environmental Soil Microbiology: A Novel Research-Oriented Laboratory Course for Undergraduate Students

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 77-83
Author(s):  
Zeyana Al-Hashmi ◽  
Said S. Al-Ismaily
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Soil Microbiology ◽  
Scientific Writing ◽  
Skill Learning ◽  
Research Experience ◽  
Laboratory Course ◽  
Soil Microbial ◽  
Conceptual Skills ◽  
Curricular Materials

Laboratory courses have a central and distinctive role in sci- ence education. The need of improving laboratory curricular materials in environmental soil microbiology education is a must more than ever as due to the followings: (i) emerg- ing of new types of soil biological problems associated with new manipulated environments, (ii) the intimacy of human, plants, and animals to soil microbial activities, and (iii) en- vironmental soil-connected issues is the area of current re- search interests. We present a novel research-oriented labo- ratory course for undergraduates in soil science, according to the need of reforming the laboratory curriculum as called by the National Science Education Standards to advocate in- quiry and cognitivity in teaching and learning. Our inquiry- based  environmental soil microbiology laboratory  course provides a good pedagogical opportunity in promoting criti- cal thinking, making predictions, proposing causative factors, and presenting consistent arguments to support a position through effective scientific writing. The novelty of our labora- tory curriculum relies on the integration of three main com- ponents namely the “skill learning”, “research experience”, and “effective writing skills” which ultimately may help in optimizing students thinking performance towards research oriented mindset. The course is divided into two modules (I & II), where in module I students are introduced to the basic principles and techniques in soil microbiology. As for module II, students are assigned a research project to enhance their critical thinking and develop their conceptual skills in design- ing an experiment, problem solving, gathering and analy- sis of data, and scientific writing. The unit content can be modified to suit other specific laboratory curriculums in other branches of natural science without loss of students learning efficiency or impact.

scholarly journals Omani Undergraduate Students’ Awareness and Experiences of the Research-Teaching Nexus

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 207
Author(s):  
Mohammed Abdullah Al-Nofli
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Good Evidence ◽  
Research Experience ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Instructor Support ◽  
Participation In Research

The research-teaching nexus is an important factor in the enhancement of the quality of teaching and learning in higher education institutions. The purpose of the study was to explore undergraduate students’ awareness and experiences of research in one faculty at Sohar University, Oman. Data were gathered from 240 undergraduate students using an online survey. Overall, results indicated that while there was good evidence of students’ awareness and experiences of research, less than half of the students in the sample were aware of or had experienced important research activities. Some students reported advantages arising from their participation in research—including developing research skills and gaining new knowledge. They also reported the need for more hands-on research experience and instructor support. Some findings were generally consistent with the literature on students’ awareness and experiences of research. The study provided important implications for the research-teaching nexus at Sohar University.

scholarly journals Ujamaa and Universal Design: Developing Sustainable Tactile Curricular Materials in Rural Tanzania

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 128-136
Author(s):  
Alisha M. B. Braun ◽  
Betty Okwako-Riekkola
Keyword(s):  
Service Learning ◽  
Student Teachers ◽  
International Development ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Plastic Bags ◽  
Service Learning Projects ◽  
Curricular Materials

Purpose: This article illustrates the power of collaboration in the spirit of Ujamaa to build curricular materials that can engage and support the learning of a diverse group of students in under-resourced environments. The authors reflect on their personal experience overseeing collaborative service learning projects with Tanzanian partners through a study abroad programme.Method: The service learning project took place in a rural primary school in northern Tanzania, characterised by large class sizes and the unavailability of teaching and learning materials.Tactile curricular materials were collaboratively developed by Tanzanian student teachers, practising teachers, and American undergraduate students. Locally available and recyclable materials were used, such as plastic water bottles, tubing, plastic bags and cardboard boxes.Results: Examples of curricular materials that were developed are presented, and lessons learned through the experience are shared.Conclusion: The use of locally available, recyclable materials enhanced sustainability. Having sustainable curricular materials that are accessible to a diverse range of students in under-resourced educational settings has the potential to foster learning for all. The underlying cultural concept of interconnectedness or Ujamaa strengthened the collaborative relationship between participating teachers and students, and can be drawn upon to enhance future service learning and international development efforts in education.

In To Africa: Teaching Nanoscience to Undergraduates in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

2011 ◽  
Vol 1320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian H. Augustine ◽  
Orde Q. Munro
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Materials Science ◽  
Undergraduate Research ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
The United States ◽  
Research Experience ◽  
Laboratory Course ◽  
Kwazulu Natal

ABSTRACTThere has been considerable interest in developing curricular programs and materials for teaching undergraduate courses in nanoscience in the United States and other developed countries in the past decade. Materials science and nanoscience research programs are growing in developing countries in South America, Africa and Asia. However, there still exists a significant disconnect between the research efforts in developing countries and undergraduate coursework. This report will focus on the teaching of an upper-division one semester lecture/laboratory course developed at James Madison University (JMU) called “The Science of the Small: An Introduction to the Nanoworld” taught in the School of Chemistry at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Pietermaritzburg (UKZN-PMB), South Africa in 2009 through the Fulbright U.S. Scholar program. We report insights into the preparation needed to teach a cutting-edge laboratory course in South Africa. Also addressed will be some of the challenges of teaching an instrument-intensive laboratory course in a developing country, academic preparation of the typical native isiZulu-speaking UKZN undergraduate student compared to a typical U.S. student, and pre and post attitudes and content assessment of students who were enrolled in the course. Further discussed will be observations of post-apartheid science and math education in South Africa, and the beginning of a pilot program bringing South African undergraduate students to the U.S. to gain undergraduate research experience.

The Finkleman Preparation: A Computer Simulation for Teaching Undergraduate Students of Pharmacology

1994 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 474-480
Author(s):  
David Dewhurst ◽  
Ian Hughes ◽  
Richard Ullyott
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Learning Objectives ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Learning Program ◽  
Computer Assisted Learning ◽  
Sympathetic Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Chart Recorder ◽  
Experimental Protocols ◽  
Evoked Contractions

An interactive computer-assisted learning program is described, which simulates a number of experiments which can be performed on the isolated, innervated duodenum of the rabbit (the Finkleman preparation). This preparation is one of the classical pharmacological preparations used to demonstrate to undergraduate students the effects of selected drugs: those acting on adrenoceptors or intestinal smooth muscle, or those affecting responses to sympathetic nerve stimulation. The program runs on any IBM compatible PC, and makes use of text and high resolution graphics to provide a background to the experiments and to describe the methodology. A screen display which emulates a chart recorder presents simulated results (spontaneous or evoked contractions of the gut), derived from actual data, in response to the selection by students of predetermined experimental protocols from a menu. The program is designed to enhance or replace the traditional laboratory-based practical using this preparation, whilst achieving the majority of the same teaching and learning objectives.

scholarly journals Routes to Research for Novice Undergraduate Neuroscientists

2006 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyle J. Frantz ◽  
Robert L. DeHaan ◽  
Melissa K. Demetrikopoulos ◽  
Laura L. Carruth
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Attitudes Toward Science ◽  
Laboratory Research ◽  
Research Experience ◽  
Neuroscience Research ◽  
Long Term Follow Up ◽  
Apprenticeship Model ◽  
Design Experiments

Undergraduate students may be attracted to science and retained in science by engaging in laboratory research. Experience as an apprentice in a scientist's laboratory can be effective in this regard, but the pool of willing scientists is sometimes limited and sustained contact between students and faculty is sometimes minimal. We report outcomes from two different models of a summer neuroscience research program: an Apprenticeship Model (AM) in which individual students joined established research laboratories, and a Collaborative Learning Model (CLM) in which teams of students worked through a guided curriculum and then conducted independent experimentation. Assessed outcomes included attitudes toward science, attitudes toward neuroscience, confidence with neuroscience concepts, and confidence with science skills, measured via pre-, mid-, and postprogram surveys. Both models elevated attitudes toward neuroscience, confidence with neuroscience concepts, and confidence with science skills, but neither model altered attitudes toward science. Consistent with the CLM design emphasizing independent experimentation, only CLM participants reported elevated ability to design experiments. The present data comprise the first of five yearly analyses on this cohort of participants; long-term follow-up will determine whether the two program models are equally effective routes to research or other science-related careers for novice undergraduate neuroscientists.

scholarly journals A virtual alternative to molecular model sets: a beginners’ guide to constructing and visualizing molecules in open-source molecular graphics software

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Siripreeya Phankingthongkum ◽  
Taweetham Limpanuparb
Keyword(s):  
General Chemistry ◽  
Open Source ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Molecular Model ◽  
Bond Line ◽  
First Year ◽  
Molecular Graphics ◽  
Model Sets ◽  
Graphics Software

Abstract Objective The application of molecular graphics software as a simple and free alternative to molecular model sets for introductory-level chemistry learners is presented. Results Based on either Avogadro or IQmol, we proposed four sets of tasks for students, building basic molecular geometries, visualizing orbitals and densities, predicting polarity of molecules and matching 3D structures with bond-line structures. These topics are typically covered in general chemistry for first-year undergraduate students. Detailed step-by-step procedures are provided for all tasks for both programs so that instructors and students can adopt one of the two programs in their teaching and learning as an alternative to molecular model sets.

Three-Year Study of the Impact of a Research Experience Program in Aerospace Engineering on Undergraduate Students

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 23-32
Author(s):  
Jacques C. Richard ◽  
So Yoon Yoon
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Career Paths ◽  
Research University ◽  
Aerospace Engineering ◽  
Research Experience ◽  
Research Knowledge ◽  
Research Experiences ◽  
Public Research University ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Engineering Career

This study reports results from a three-year implementation of a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program funded by the National Science Foundation in aerospace engineering at a public research university in the southwestern United States. Students’ perceptions of research knowledge, skills, and engineering career paths were all positively affected.

scholarly journals Journal Club: a group of research experience

2018 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 446-450 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Bover Draganov ◽  
Maria Regina Guimarães Silva ◽  
Vanessa Ribeiro Neves ◽  
Maria Cristina Sanna
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Learning Strategy ◽  
Journal Club ◽  
Practical Experience ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Experience ◽  
Nursing Management ◽  
Health Services Administration

ABSTRACT Introduction: the Journal Club (JC) is a teaching and learning strategy developed by individuals who meet to discuss scientific articles in periodicals. Objective: to describe the experience of the JC strategy at the Group for Studies and Research in Health Services Administration and Nursing Management (Gepag). Method: case studies or scientific research demonstration mode of practical experience for the understanding and justification of facts. Results: Gepag JC emerged in 2008 and, in 2014, was computerized with the Google Drive®, in order to increase its scope and optimize the Group›s meetings. From April to May 2014, the instrument was tested and adjusted, resulting in advancements. Final considerations: the advantages involved optimizing the time of meetings, facilitation of access to publications of interest to the Group and creating the database to support future research.

scholarly journals Students’ Involvement in Social Networking and Attitudes towards Its Integration into Teaching

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 250
Author(s):  
Ukeme Ekpedeme Umoh ◽  
Etuk Nssien Etuk
Keyword(s):  
Social Networking ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Ex Post ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
The University

<p class="apa">The study examined ‘Students’ Involvement in Social Networking and attitudes towards its Integration into Teaching. The study was carried out in the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The population of the study consisted of 17,618 undergraduate students enrolled into full time degree programmes in the University of Uyo for 2014/2015 academic session. The design of the study was survey design with ex-post facto approach. Random sampling technique was used to select 1730 students from the 12 faculties in the University. The instrument used for the study was ‘Students’ Social Networking and Attitude Questionnaire which was validated by an expert in curriculum studies and an expert in measurement and evaluation in the University of Uyo. Cronbach’s Alpha Statistical method was used to determine the reliability coefficient of .70 for the instrument. Two research questions and two null hypotheses tested at .05 level of significance guided the study. Mean and Standard Deviation were used to answer research questions; Independent t-test and Analysis of Variance were used to test the hypotheses. The results show that there is significant difference in involvement of university undergraduate students in Social Networking based on course of study, level (year) of study and age. Female undergraduate students’ involvement in social networking is higher than that of their male counterparts; but male undergraduate students showed a higher positive attitude towards integration of social networking into teaching and learning.</p>

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