Integrating Research Proposals Into a Field Seminar: Feedback From Students

Teaching research to social work students continues to be the topic of an ongoing dialog within the profession. The literature suggests that some form of a “real-world” or “hands-on” learning opportunity has many benefits for teaching a subject that students often are reluctant to engage in. Using online survey methods, researchers gathered feedback from graduate students and their field supervisors about their experience of completing a field seminar that integrated an agency-based research proposal as part of the course requirement. Although there were limitations to this approach, many of the same benefits of actually implementing research were reported by students who completed only a proposal.     

Community-level environmental projects as learning tools for planners: a case study of graduate planning students

Despite the potential environmental impact of urban planning, there is little research on Environmental Education (EE) in the context of urban planning curricula. This study follows graduate planning students’ learning experience during group projects assigned as part of a planning course at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology. These participatory projects, characterized as project-based learning and service learning, took place in several communities in Israel. We examined the types of learning impacts the projects engendered by analyzing the reported experiences of the students using parameters from the field of EE. The main goal of this research is to understand the contribution of such practical, hands-on project exercises to the course curriculum for inculcating environmental education themes. Findings indicate that projects helped students acquire and/or improve professional tools. They enhanced motivation to consider environmental concerns in their work and in some cases changed students’ personal environmental behavior.     

Anatomists provide the foundation for learning pathophysiology

The need for interdisciplinary graduate training programs which prepare students to conceptualize the application of their research in clinical settings continues to grow. Though several programs have been cultivated to address this need, demand still outweighs supply. The following describes a curriculum developed with the intent of incorporating medical knowledge into a PhD graduate training program. Development of this Molecular Medicine program by the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine in collaboration with Case Western Reserve University was funded by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute "Med into Grad" initiative. The core curriculum of this program begins with a foundation in Human Physiology and Disease course in which anatomy faculty introduce students to a basic overview of gross anatomy structure and function. This course is followed by five fundamental basic science courses, a composite course focusing on principles of clinical and translation research, a course on laboratory techniques and three, 12-week research rotations. In the second year of the program, students begin their dissertation research, complete their qualifying examination, and partake in an individually tailored Clinical Experience course. Interdisciplinary graduate programs like this provide another venue for faculty in anatomical sciences to help aspiring translational scientists relate basic science knowledge to human pathophysiology and health.     

The Research Mentoring Program: Serving the Needs of Graduate and Undergraduate Researchers

Many institutions of higher education confront seemingly unrelated needs of graduate students, who need not only to complete their dissertations but also to learn how to become proficient mentors for undergraduates as they move on to faculty roles. The graduate students are increasingly searching out high-impact learning experiences such as involvement with undergraduate research. The program we describe in this article offers a solution to these issues by pairing undergraduates with graduate students to work on their dissertation research. Undergraduates undertake hands-on research while learning about graduate school, and the graduate students learn about the mentoring process while receiving assistance that allows them to keep their dissertations moving toward completion.     

Knowledge constructing through hypermedia authoring

According to prominent learning theorists, learning is much more than gathering information in a well-designed, teacher-centered environment; learning is promoted when students pursue individual interests, when they build on prior knowledge, and when they engage in hands-on and authentic activity. Although a great deal of literature exists describing ideals such as these, research examining the implementation of these ideals in classrooms is scarce, and using technology for more than information giving is even scarcer. The purpose of this study was to examine a graduate course at a large, Midwestern university to discern how educational theory translates into classroom practice. In the course, students learned about educational theory by designing and creating a hypermedia chapter for a World Wide Web-based book. Qualitative data were collected across a 16-week semester and revealed both student and teacher perspectives regarding the course, including the strengths and limitations of a student-as-multimedia-author approach. The findings indicated that most all students were highly satisfied with the course, that some transferred learning, and that students developed skills and knowledge with instructional design, educational theory, and technology.     

Guided Hands-On Activities Can Improve Student Learning in a Lecture-Based Qualitative Biomechanics Course

A qualitative biomechanics (functional anatomy) course is a typical course in kinesiology curriculum. Most evidence suggests that biomechanics learning could be improved with the inclusion of laboratory experiences. However, implementing laboratories into biomechanics curriculum is difficult due to cost and time constraints. This study was conducted to evaluate whether hands-on activities in lecture improve qualitative biomechanics learning. A lecture format was compared to the same course with guided and unguided hands-on activities included during lecture. Test performance and student evaluations were compared between lecture formats to determine if hands-on experiences improve learning. The hands-on group performed better on the same test questions and they evaluated their overall course activities as beneficial to their learning. The findings suggest that guided hands-on experiences may improve learning compared to unguided activities. The hands-on experiences seem to provide an embodied cognitive learning experience, facilitating retention of learned material through three-dimensional and tactile mental representations. Findings from this research are currently shaping how biomechanics is taught to students at this university and could at other universities as well.     

创新与引领:教育技术学硕士生培养改革的探索与实践——以江苏师范大学为例

如何培养运用信息技术促进教育变革的高级专门人才,是后信息化时期教育技术学研究生培养必须解决的大课题。实践表明,通过创新目标为培养教育信息化的建设者、研究者、创新者和教育改革的设计者,创设新的课程体系,采用跨国远程教育、跨校委托培养、能力目标导向培养、研创式教学、助奖激励、项目培养等措施推动培养模式改革,以"三师"、"优博"、"借师"为抓手提升师资队伍水平,可使教育技术学硕士生培养适应新形势,引领新发展。文章概括分析了江苏师范大学教育技术学硕士研究生培养改革的做法和经验。     

Informal Science Education: A Practicum for Graduate Students

We present results from a course, “Informal Science Education for Scientists: A Practicum,” co-taught to graduate students in STEM-related fields by a scientist/engineer and a social scientist/humanist. This course provides a structured framework and experiential learning about informal science education during a semester-long experience. The data collected across six years of the course (11 ≤ n ≤ 16 for each) provide strong evidence that the course has been effective in encouraging graduate students in STEM-related fields to feel more skilled at and confident with informal science education. Details are provided as to how manipulation of the course structure (i.e. making it project-based, emphasizing understanding audiences, stressing the iterative nature of design, and increasing evaluation research training) influenced the student outcomes.     

中国职业教育学研究生教育回眸:1978-2008

我国职业教育学研究生教育自1978年以来从无到有、由弱到强,经历了一个“孵化-成长-丰富”的过程。时值今日,初步形成了适应性的人才培养规模,初步形成了特色性的人才培养模式,初步形成了反思性的人才培养机制,初步培育了适宜性的学科平台。今后面临的任务是：凝炼聚焦,明确职业教育学科主攻方向;谋划布局,规划职业教育学科点的战略布局;重点培养,建设高水平的职业教育学导师队伍;着力孵化,形成一批职业教育学重点学科。     

Integrating Free Computer Software in Chemistry and Biochemistry Instruction: An International Collaboration

At the Universidad de Caldas, Manizales, Colombia, we used their new computer facilities to introduce chemistry graduate students to biochemical database mining and quantum chemistry calculations using freeware. These hands-on workshops allowed the students a strong introduction to easily accessible software and how to use this software to begin to explore computer modeling. Each workshop was scheduled for 2 h and each included a tutorial exercise to familiarize the students with the main menus and features of the software. In addition, accompanying lectures and practical laboratory sections were provided. Both courses were taught in Spanish although the written instructions were in English. This was not a problem since these students have a comfort level with reading English. Student feedback following these workshops was highly enthusiastic and positive. This international collaborative will impact both the teaching and research goals for this cohort of graduate students.     

七年制医学生放疗科临床实习带教体会

临床实习是医学专业学生培养体系中最重要的环节之一,是培养学生将理论知识运用于临床实践,提高其临床实践能力、临床思维能力和医患沟通能力的重要阶段。七年制临床医学专业研究生是一个特殊的群体,其培养模式不同于五年本科加三年研究生(5+3)的临床医学专业学位培养模式。本文对七年制医学生放疗科临床实习的带教体会进行了总结,并结合七年制医学生的特点,探讨提高放疗科临床实习教学质量的方法,为临床医学生的实习培养提供参考。     

荷兰研究生教学的特点与启示

以荷兰格罗宁根大学空间科学学院的硕士培养方案,分析荷兰研究生教学的特点。荷兰高校在课程设置和教师安排方面都体现了对研究生教学的重视。在授课之先,教师会提供详尽的教学大纲并严格按照大纲进度进行教学;在修读课程时,授课学时在总学时中所占的比重较低,学生的课外投入才是重点;在课程学习过程中,教师注重培养学生的实践能力与合作精神。为此,我国的研究生教学应借鉴其成功经验,并在相关方面予以改进和深化。     

"工程生理学"课程在促进医工融合中的探索

"工程生理学"课程是医学类课程与理工类课程之间的桥梁课程.依据重庆大学的资源特点,本课程选择以定量生理学为特色,使用数字仿真工具,开展对生理系统的数学规律和模型研究.研究内容依次为生理功能的测量、生理系统动态平衡的物质基础、生理功能动态平衡的内在调控、生理功能紊乱与干预研究.本课程教学改革工作有利于满足生物医学工程研究生培养定量性分析和干预生理学功能的能力需求.     

The dynamics of connecting universities,non-governmental organizations and community members by means of academic projects directed at people in need

In this article we discuss an action research experience that took place from 2002 to 2015. We analyze the inception and progress of several project-based learning-centered academic courses that were aimed at developing the project management skills of graduate and undergraduate students. The experience involved approximately 1800 students from two universities and 40 community partners. The students developed real-life projects on behalf of institutions and non-governmental organizations located in the area that help people in need; we refer to these agencies as ‘community partners.’ We analyze the development of the course from a systemic perspective, making use of causal loop diagrams in order to understand the main driving dynamics. We discuss the results achieved by these projects and the benefits brought to the community partners. We also present testimony from the community partners themselves. We conclude by presenting the lessons we learned over the years we have been running this course.     

The value of in-person undergraduate dissection in anatomical education in the time of Covid-19

While several innovative pedagogical practices have been developed and implemented in anatomy education since the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, considering the value of in-person undergraduate dissection remains crucial. In this commentary, a human dissection course at the University of Toronto is used as an example to highlight the value of dissection for undergraduate learners in non-professional programs. In-person dissection allows for real life, anatomical variation, and supports the advancement of students' conceptual knowledge of the human body and visual–spatial abilities. Direct involvement with dissection during undergraduate training also provides students with an opportunity to practice and refine non-technical skills, such as communication and collaboration, while simultaneously promoting the development of students' professional identity formation. Further, dissection is a practical, hands-on experience that can provide students with insight into potential career aspirations related to anatomy and the health professions. It is suggested that as institutions veer from traditional pedagogical practices and evaluate how to best move forward post-pandemic, it is imperative that the value of undergraduate dissection is considered among new innovations in the field of anatomy.     

教育性与研究性——一流大学研究生课程建设的内在逻辑

一流大学研究生教育改革的深处和难处是课程教学。课程学习具有基础性作用,研究生课程建设的内在逻辑是坚持教育性与研究性相结合,这符合教育规律,也是政府和经济社会需求的反映。论文借鉴比较经验,基于一流大学研究生课程建设的内在逻辑,从明确课程建设价值、注重学生需求、在课程内容和教学方法上下功夫等方面提出了提升研究生课程教育性和研究性的实践举措。     

An analysis of frequency of hands-on experience and science achievement

A variance analysis of the relation between the amount of time students spent experiencing hands-on science and science achievement was performed. Data collected by the National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988 on a nationally representative sample of eighth-grade students were analyzed. Student achievement in science was measured by a cognitive test battery developed by the Educational Testing Service. Information regarding the frequency of hands-on experience was collected through a self-administered teacher questionnaire, which included a series of questions specific to the science curriculum. From the analysis it was concluded that significant differences existed across the hands-on frequency variable with respect to science achievement. Specifically, students who engaged in hands-on activities every day or once a week scored significantly higher on a standardized test of science achievement than students who engaged in hands-on activities once a month, less than once a month, or never. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

来华留学研究生教育质量评价指标研究

以知网为文献来源,检索筛选有关来华留学研究生教育质量的相关研究,利用内容分析法提取整理并编码所纳入文献中的相关评价指标,展开指标共现网络的可视化和中心性分析。研究发现课程设置情况与评价、留学生管理服务情况与评价、生源质量情况与评价、科研能力培养效果、导师的指导与交流情况、留学生对中国的了解与态度、通用技能培养效果、语言能力培养效果、教学内容评价与教学方法评价是目前我国来华留学研究生教育质量相关研究中被集中使用的前十位评价指标,涵盖了从输入到产出的全教育流程与从学生到教师再到学校的多主体层次。     

科研训练与硕士研究生实践能力的培养

本文分析了科研训练在硕士研究生实践能力培养中的作用.以及硕士研究生科研训练中存在的问题及原因.并认为完善科研训练管理制度、丰富科研训练形式、拓宽经费来源、加强导师集体对科研训练的指导、建立产学研实践基地是加强科研训练环节.提升硕士研究生实践能力的重要途径.