The challenge of writing a PhD proposal in honours (undergraduate) education;

Transcription

1 The challenge of writing a PhD proposal in honours (undergraduate) education; Fred Wiegant*, Karin Scager, Ton Peeters and Johannes Boonstra Groningen 4& 5 october 2012 *Fred Wiegant Institute of Education, Dptm. Biology University College Utrecht, Science Dptm. Utrecht University, The Netherlands Overview General characteristics of the course Team based learning: writing a research proposal as complex writing assignment Student activities Role of teacher Context of course (Advanced Cell Biology) Research question(s) and Theoretical Model Method and Results of student interviews Conclusion and Discussion

2 General characteristics Large, complex assignment in which cooperation and task division is crucial. Groups need to act as teams. Students are in charge. They do everything (from start to end) for which intensive cooperation is required. Community building Sense of ownership being proud of achievement High expectations & high standards Teacher has a coaching, facilitating role Teacher is part of the group, asks critical questions but does not play a role in decision making. Context 1 of 3 Advanced Cell Biology University College Utrecht Honours college, LA&S, International 3 rd year bachelor course (~200 study hours) Cell biology track ( level) Assignment: Design a research program consisting of 3 coherent PhD projects (3 subgroups) Assessment: external jury of experts, using criteria of the National Research Organisation Observations and interviews on student experience; a case study in Fall 2010 & Fall 2011 Karin Scager Centre for Teaching & Learning

3 Advanced Cell Biology Fall 2010 Context 2 of 3 Course phases

4 Context 3 of 3 Student led It s hard not have the teachers say anything, because usually they guide us all the time. Writing a research proposal Division of tasks: Program leader: Keeps overview, makes time line, Consistency of program and synergy between projects (together with project leaders), overall quality Project leaders: Cooperation within team, quality PhD project, Critical readers, Lay out, illustrations, etc.

5 Writing a research proposal Student activities? Choose a general theme and make subdivision in projects Read primary papers, find and focus on a gap in knowledge Formulate hypothesis and Research question(s) Select (advanced) techniques & methodology to answer questions Contact experts, visit laboratories Give peer feedback on products & progress of other teams Present and defend for a jury of experts Complex & challenging assignment requires advanced skills & competencies Research questions 1 of 1 Research Questions 1. How did the balance between challenge and skill affect your motivation and learning? a. Is being over challenged detrimental for motivation & learning? b. Is less guidance by the teacher detrimental for motivation & learning? 2. What factors constituted the challenge for you?

6 Model 1 of 1 Csikszentmyhaly s Flow model (perceived) Challenge Anxiety Frustration Relaxation Boredom (FLOW) Intrinsic motivation and learning (perceived) Skills Method 1 of 3 Interviews with students Draw Story Line on the following topics: 1. Motivation 2. Challenge 3. Skills 4. Learning Further: Observations, Teacher interview, and Analysis of course materials

7 Method 2 of 3 Story lines ; an individual example Method 3 of 3 Story lines ; an individual example

8 Results 1 of 4 Means of Story lines: Challenge and Skills 4,5 4,0 3,5 Challenge 3,0 value 2,5 2,0 1,5 Skills 1,0 0,5 0,0 weeks Orientation Research questions Research methods Writing and defending Results 2 of 4 Means of Challenge, Skills and Motivation 4,5 4,0 value 3,5 3,0 2,5 2,0 1,5 Challenge Motivation Skills 1,0 0,5 0,0 weeks Orientation Research questions Research methods Writing and defending

9 Results 3 of 4 Means of Motivation and Learning 4,5 4,0 3,5 Learning Challenge value 3,0 2,5 2,0 1,5 Motivation Skills 1,0 0,5 0,0 weeks Orientation Research questions Research methods Writing and defending Results 4 of 4 Challenge factors 1. Task Complexity Novelty (reading research articles) Complex content (interacting mechanisms in cells) Conflicting demands (novelty, relevance, feasibility) Dynamics of the process 2. Lack of guidance Student led character Lack / shortage of feedback (if choices made are good) 3. High expectations Teachers Students Supportive: group work

10 Conclusions Students learned most when over challenged I was engaging all my abilities that I already had here, and the ones that I needed to develop. (temporary) frustration was not detrimental realizing that you had to be active to get out of the dip; you can t be passive and expect things to change for the better. Less guidance & feedback was beneficial for learning I think feedback would have helped. But then again, I think it was a good thing that they didn t. We didn t need that reassurance; we should be able to know if we were doing good or not. Writing a research proposal For further details on aims, content and results: CBE Life Science Education 2011; 10: In article: link to all pdf s of research projects written since 2006

11 Advanced Cell Biology Fall 2009 Fall 2011 Fall 2010 Factors: Success vs pitfalls? Students Actively involved, working towards concrete end product, Task complexity: Intensive cooperation & task division Group cohesion (everybody is necessary): community building (mutual appreciation & respect) Contact with research specialist Feedback (from peers and from specialist) Sense of having learned a lot (content & skills) Sense of ownership / being proud on achievement From consumer of knowledge to producer of knowledge Positive info by previous groups Course has added value (academically or personally

12 Factors: Success vs pitfalls? Teachers: Involved in initiating the process, followed by facilitating & coaching, asking critical questions and providing feedback rather than guidance Teachers should not be involved in taking decisions nor should they require that their advice is followed Being unaware of what is going on outside of class sessions Balance between: Exploration and production Input & effort of all participants Too much & too few deadlines Thanks for your attention! Any questions?