Association for Biology Laboratory Education

Transitioning students to researchers: Instructional baby steps
    

Dawn Giesbrecht, Harold Bull & Sheryl Mills

Advances in Biology Laboratory Education, 2023, Volume 43

https://doi.org/10.37590/able.v43.art7

Abstract

Structuring a course, or part of a course, to include a Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) involves both changes in the course format and changes in the instructor’s role and perspective(s). For the past three years we have facilitated authentic research experiences in two ways within the confines of a traditional course structure: (1) by including CURE elements in a traditional lab course and (2) using the CURE format for a complete three credit unit course. In both settings, learners have transitioned from thinking like “students” to thinking, doing, identifying as, and becoming “researchers”. This workshop provides the opportunity to move step by step through the process of integrating CURE attributes and principles into a traditional lab course. By the end of this workshop, you will have: (1) a clear understanding of the CURE approach and the related pros and cons, and (2) developed an actionable plan that integrates CURE approaches into your traditional lab course.

Keywords:  Biochemistry, microbiology, molecular biology, Inquiry-based learning, undergraduate research, experiential learning, instructional methods, team science

University of Victoria (2022)