| Abstrakt: |
Undergraduate scientific research experiences provide students unscripted, active learning opportunities where the students take the lead in inquiry, problem solving, and analysis. Biology and chemistry majors at St. John Fisher College participate in a competitive 10-week summer research experience mentored by a faculty member. Evaluation of the program began in 2016 with a final reflection at the end of the experience being required of students in this cohort. In 2017, students were guided through three prompted reflection exercises and then utilized an ePortfolio to house their reflections and key components of their research experience. Students in both cohorts were required to complete both the Preflection and SURE III nationally-vetted surveys designed to measure self-reported learning gains in independent research by Professor Lopatto at Grinnell College. In 2016, students rated their learning gains on the SURE III survey lower than those students who participated in the survey at other colleges and universities across the country. In 2017, the cohort that completed the reflections and ePortfolios, reported their learning gains on par with students nationally. The coding of student reflections and SURE III survey data taken together show synergy and agreement pointing to areas of focus for program improvement moving forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
