SPUR (2020) 3 (3): https://doi.org/10.18833/spur/3/3/9 Abstract:
An across-the-curriculum (ATC) approach to undergraduate research (UR) is a productive addition to UR ecosystems at equity-oriented institutions. The ATC approach is differentiated from mentored UR experiences and laboratory course-based UR experiences by its ability to employ experiential, problem-based skills and practices for a broad variety of informal research activities at all levels of curriculum and without special facilities. In doing so, the ATC model encourages faculty to make the application of twenty-first-century student learning outcomes explicit for students who are new to research so that they see how inquiry, knowledge creation, and other aspects of problem-solving are used in practical ways that translate to professional and community contexts.
More Articles in this Issue
- ‐ Lisa Gates, Issue Editor
SPUR (2020) 3 (3): https://doi.org/10.18833/spur/3/3/8 - Practice‐ Kimberly J. McClure-Brenchley, Kristin Picardo, and Julia Overton-Healy
SPUR (2020) 3 (3): https://doi.org/10.18833/spur/3/3/10 Abstract:Learning outcomes can structure and enhance the undergraduate research experience, building skills such as critical thinking/problem solving, communication, and team-work/collaboration. These skills often correspond to what employers desire in their recruitment of recent college graduates: students possess career competencies that result from undergraduate research and prepare them for the workforce. However, students do not necessarily recognize the value of undergraduate research for workforce preparation, recognize how their research experience has prepared them, and/or are unable to fully articulate their preparedness. The authors discuss the value of integrating learning outcomes across the college experience to enhance undergraduate research and career readiness. They detail the implementation of an integrated model within a primarily undergraduate institution and suggest strategies to best leverage undergraduate research for workforce preparation.
- Practice‐ Prajukti Bhattacharyya, Catherine W. M. Chan, Rocio R. Duchesne, Aditi Ghosh, Steven N. Girard, and Jonah J. Ralston
SPUR (2020) 3 (3): https://doi.org/10.18833/spur/3/3/7 Abstract:The traditional model of undergraduate research is less effective for engaging students who have little or no previous exposure to research, are unfamiliar with available research opportunities, or face financial or time constraints that prevent them from engaging in co- or extracurricular activities. Given today’s changing student demographics, models such as course-embedded research need to be explored so that undergraduate research participation may be broadened across disciplines. This article describes how a community of practitioners was created to infuse research in courses at both two- and four-year campuses, with four examples of courses with embedded research activities. Discussed are strategies for implementing discipline-specific research activities at all levels of the undergraduate curriculum to expose a broader student population to the benefits of mentored research.
