Using Student-Led Discussion and Reflection of a Public Health–Related Nonfiction Book as a Tool to Encourage Inclusive Pedagogy in an Undergraduate Classroom
Abstract:Educators realize the need to provide an inclusive, safe environment in a diverse classroom setting to encourage discussion of sensitive topics. However, descriptions of evidence-based approaches that may help us to meet inclusive pedagogy-related competencies are limited. Here, we describe a discussion format that followed chapter readings from a nonfiction biographical book called Mountains beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the World (2003), by Tracy Kidder. This semester-l… Show more
“…These results are consistent with past studies examining how access to research experiences and mentorship can deeply impact students' retention in STEM, and how personal career stories from scientists can impact feelings of belonging in STEM, especially if the scientists share common features of the students' backgrounds 5,7,21,22 . Using popular science books and highlighting stories of classic experiments have also both been shown to foster students' interest and curiosity in research and science careers 23,24 …”
Section: Resultssupporting
confidence: 88%
“…5,7,21,22 Using popular science books and highlighting stories of classic experiments have also both been shown to foster students' interest and curiosity in research and science careers. 23,24 4 | DISCUSSION…”
Section: Student Awareness and Appreciation Of Stem Careersmentioning
Undergraduate research experiences are key to preparing STEM students for a range of careers and graduate programs, and to impacting retention in STEM. Providing undergraduate research experiences can be challenging for institutions due to the high cost associated with equipment and reagents, lab space, and research mentors. In this study, we present an upper‐level microbiology seminar course that does not require these resources, as each student chooses and performs their own research project using data obtained from publicly available datasets. The faculty member provides hands‐on instruction and regular feedback to mentor the cohort of students through all stages of their research projects, from honing a research question, to choosing a dataset, to data analysis and visualization. Students build science communication skills through each writing a scientific paper, and creating and presenting a scientific poster. These papers and presentations, along with results from student pre‐ and post‐surveys, demonstrate that students built research and communication skills, while also building their confidence and interest in science careers. To access this research experience, students only need to register for this course; no application or selection is required, and no prior research experience is expected. The use of publicly available data makes this course a low‐cost way to integrate authentic research projects into the college curriculum, and can be adapted to courses in any discipline. Such “low‐cost CUREs” (course‐based undergraduate research experiences) can be used to build capacity for undergraduate research experiences that are so crucial to preparing students for opportunities in and beyond college.
“…These results are consistent with past studies examining how access to research experiences and mentorship can deeply impact students' retention in STEM, and how personal career stories from scientists can impact feelings of belonging in STEM, especially if the scientists share common features of the students' backgrounds 5,7,21,22 . Using popular science books and highlighting stories of classic experiments have also both been shown to foster students' interest and curiosity in research and science careers 23,24 …”
Section: Resultssupporting
confidence: 88%
“…5,7,21,22 Using popular science books and highlighting stories of classic experiments have also both been shown to foster students' interest and curiosity in research and science careers. 23,24 4 | DISCUSSION…”
Section: Student Awareness and Appreciation Of Stem Careersmentioning
Undergraduate research experiences are key to preparing STEM students for a range of careers and graduate programs, and to impacting retention in STEM. Providing undergraduate research experiences can be challenging for institutions due to the high cost associated with equipment and reagents, lab space, and research mentors. In this study, we present an upper‐level microbiology seminar course that does not require these resources, as each student chooses and performs their own research project using data obtained from publicly available datasets. The faculty member provides hands‐on instruction and regular feedback to mentor the cohort of students through all stages of their research projects, from honing a research question, to choosing a dataset, to data analysis and visualization. Students build science communication skills through each writing a scientific paper, and creating and presenting a scientific poster. These papers and presentations, along with results from student pre‐ and post‐surveys, demonstrate that students built research and communication skills, while also building their confidence and interest in science careers. To access this research experience, students only need to register for this course; no application or selection is required, and no prior research experience is expected. The use of publicly available data makes this course a low‐cost way to integrate authentic research projects into the college curriculum, and can be adapted to courses in any discipline. Such “low‐cost CUREs” (course‐based undergraduate research experiences) can be used to build capacity for undergraduate research experiences that are so crucial to preparing students for opportunities in and beyond college.
“…Any course can incorporate an individual assignment that focuses on diverse scientists, such as a writing assignment in which students craft Wikipedia pages or other similar short-format biographies ( 31 , 32 ). Any course can incorporate an individual reading assignment that is a biography of a scientist from an HMC, either incorporating a full-length book ( 33 , 34 ) or even short biographies ( 35 , 36 ). As a resource for faculty who want to incorporate a biography (a book, film, or play) into their course, see the list of 57 possible options in Appendix S5.…”
Scientific contributions by members from historically marginalized communities (HMCs) have been largely ignored, uncredited, and in some cases erased from history. This has contributed to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) curricula lacking diversity.
“…Use of a socio-scientific issues approach to pedagogy ( 19 , 20 ) may assist students to share their worldview and develop competencies that will enable them to understand key immunological concepts associated with contentious cultural and societal issues that are often related to immunology. This issue-based teaching approach encourages classroom discourse, coupled with active questioning and evaluation of social arguments, after exploring authoritative resources outlining the immunological concepts.…”
Section: Recommendation #1: Adopt An Inclusive Socio-scientific Appro...mentioning
Immune literacy—the ability to hear, learn, read, write, explain, and discuss immunological content with varied audiences—has become critically important in recent years. Yet, with its complex terminology and discipline-specific concepts, educating individuals about the immune system and its role in health and disease may seem daunting.
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