Online Publication Enhances Integration of Current Research in the Classroom

Abstract

Integrating current research materials and issues into graduate courses provides students with exposure to emerging concepts and methods. New online journal formats that allow authors to include raw data and model code provide a unique opportunity to bring current research into the classroom. We developed a graduate-level landscape ecology assignment using data and code provided as appendices to an article in Conservation Ecology. Our assignment required students to engage actively with the published material, was positively reviewed by the students, and prompted valuable discussion.

Keywords

• inquiry-guided learning
• landscape ecology
• modeling
• problem-based learning
• teaching