Frontiers in Education (Oct 2023)
A systemic transformation of an arts and sciences curriculum to nurture inclusive excellence of all students through course-based research experiences
- Franco Delogu,
- Michelle Nelson,
- Shannon C. Timmons,
- Melinda Weinstein,
- Bhubanjyoti Bhattacharya,
- Paul Jaussen,
- Mazin Al-Hamando,
- Hamad Al-Azary,
- Oriehi Anyaiwe,
- LaVetta Appleby,
- Wisam Bukaita,
- Christopher Cartwright,
- Chan-Jin Chung,
- Suzanne Cleere,
- Matthew Cole,
- Sibrina Collins,
- Ty Faulkner,
- Margaret M. Glembocki,
- Christopher C. Harris,
- Matthew Johnston,
- Vivian Kao,
- Julia Kiernan,
- Aleksandra Kuzmanov,
- Paula Lauren,
- Tao Liu,
- Eric Meyer,
- Kineta Morgan-Paisley,
- Jeffery Morrissette,
- George Moschelli,
- Irfana Muqbil,
- Patrick Nelson,
- Bruce Pell,
- Joy Schaefer,
- Randy Schantz,
- Daniel Shargel,
- Fauzia Siddiq,
- Meng Zhou,
- Julie Zwiesler-Vollick,
- Na Yu,
- Hsiao-Ping Moore
Affiliations
- Franco Delogu
- Department of Humanities, Social Sciences and Communication, College of Arts and Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI, United States
- Michelle Nelson
- College of Arts and Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI, United States
- Shannon C. Timmons
- Department of Natural Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI, United States
- Melinda Weinstein
- Department of Humanities, Social Sciences and Communication, College of Arts and Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI, United States
- Bhubanjyoti Bhattacharya
- Department of Natural Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI, United States
- Paul Jaussen
- Department of Humanities, Social Sciences and Communication, College of Arts and Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI, United States
- Mazin Al-Hamando
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, College of Arts and Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI, United States
- Hamad Al-Azary
- Department of Humanities, Social Sciences and Communication, College of Arts and Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI, United States
- Oriehi Anyaiwe
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, College of Arts and Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI, United States
- LaVetta Appleby
- Department of Natural Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI, United States
- Wisam Bukaita
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, College of Arts and Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI, United States
- Christopher Cartwright
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, College of Arts and Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI, United States
- Chan-Jin Chung
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, College of Arts and Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI, United States
- Suzanne Cleere
- Department of Natural Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI, United States
- Matthew Cole
- College of Business and Information Technology, Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI, United States
- Sibrina Collins
- Department of Humanities, Social Sciences and Communication, College of Arts and Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI, United States
- Ty Faulkner
- Department of Humanities, Social Sciences and Communication, College of Arts and Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI, United States
- Margaret M. Glembocki
- Department of Natural Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI, United States
- Christopher C. Harris
- Department of Humanities, Social Sciences and Communication, College of Arts and Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI, United States
- Matthew Johnston
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, College of Arts and Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI, United States
- Vivian Kao
- Department of Humanities, Social Sciences and Communication, College of Arts and Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI, United States
- Julia Kiernan
- Department of Humanities, Social Sciences and Communication, College of Arts and Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI, United States
- Aleksandra Kuzmanov
- Department of Natural Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI, United States
- Paula Lauren
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, College of Arts and Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI, United States
- Tao Liu
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, College of Arts and Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI, United States
- Eric Meyer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI, United States
- Kineta Morgan-Paisley
- Department of Humanities, Social Sciences and Communication, College of Arts and Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI, United States
- Jeffery Morrissette
- Department of Natural Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI, United States
- George Moschelli
- Department of Natural Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI, United States
- Irfana Muqbil
- Department of Natural Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI, United States
- Patrick Nelson
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, College of Arts and Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI, United States
- Bruce Pell
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, College of Arts and Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI, United States
- Joy Schaefer
- Department of Humanities, Social Sciences and Communication, College of Arts and Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI, United States
- Randy Schantz
- Department of Humanities, Social Sciences and Communication, College of Arts and Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI, United States
- Daniel Shargel
- Department of Humanities, Social Sciences and Communication, College of Arts and Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI, United States
- Fauzia Siddiq
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, College of Arts and Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI, United States
- Meng Zhou
- Department of Natural Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI, United States
- Julie Zwiesler-Vollick
- Department of Natural Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI, United States
- Na Yu
- Department of Mathematics, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Hsiao-Ping Moore
- Department of Natural Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI, United States
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2023.1142572
- Journal volume & issue
-
Vol. 8
Abstract
IntroductionWe describe herein a large-scale, multidisciplinary course-based undergraduate research experience program (CRE) developed at Lawrence Technological University (LTU). In our program, all students enrolled in CRE classes participate in authentic research experiences within the framework of the curriculum, eliminating self-selection processes and other barriers to traditional extracurricular research experiences.MethodsSince 2014, we have designed and implemented more than 40 CRE courses in our College of Arts and Sciences involving more than 30 instructors from computer science, mathematics, physics, biology, chemistry, English composition, literature, philosophy, media communication, nursing, and psychology.ResultsAssessment survey data indicates that students who participate in CRE courses have an enhanced attitude towards research and discovery, as well as increased self-efficacy. This intervention is particularly relevant for non-traditional students, such as students who commute and/or have significant work or childcare commitments, who often experience limited access to research activities.DiscussionHerein we highlight the importance of a systemic institutional change that has made this intervention sustainable and likely to outlast the external funding phase. Systemic change can emerge from a combination of conditions, including: (1) developing a critical mass of CRE courses by providing instructors with both incentives and training; (2) developing general principles on which instructors can base their CRE activities; (3) securing and maintaining institutional support to promote policy changes towards a more inclusive institution; and (4) diversifying the range of the intervention, both in terms of initiatives and disciplines involved.
Keywords
- problem-based and cooperative learning
- diversity equity and inclusion
- inclusivity in higher education
- mixed methods < research methodology
- course-based undergraduate research experience
