Integrative Learning: Developing a Multi-Disciplinary Student Research Program at

Albertus Magnus College

Patty Compagnone-Postand Hilda Speicher

Innovative Pedagogy and Course Redesign IX ConferenceFairfield University

June 3 – 5, 2009

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1. The term Integrative Learning was coined by Jerry Perez de Tagle [1] and

"... comes in many varieties: connecting skills and knowledge from multiple sources and experiences; applying skills and practices in various settings; utilizing diverse and even contradictory points of view; and, understanding issues and positions contextually."

2. Haber, Hutchings, and Gale: "...making connections within a major, between fields, between curriculum, cocurriculum, or between academic knowledge and practice."[2]

3. Arcadia University: “Integrative learning is about exploring real world issues… Connecting liberal arts learning and theory with professional skills and abilities...”

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“The Apprenticeship Model for Undergraduate Research” according to NSF:

Effective UR is defined as, “an inquiry or investigation conducted by an undergraduate that makes an original intellectual or creative contribution to the discipline”

Useful Resource:University of Delaware Undergraduate

Research Office (provides descriptions of research across all disciplines)

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Small liberal arts institution Catholic College in the Dominican tradition 3 delivery systems, undergraduate &

graduate Traditional Day Program Accelerated Degree Program (adult learners) New Dimensions Program (adult cohorts)

Diverse student population Race & Ethnicity Age 4

Need to educate faculty about: Possibilities of research Value of research

Need to change norms to a culture of research

Need to disseminate research information to the AMC community Students Faculty

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Formed a Student Research Council Applied for a workshop sponsored by the

Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) Sponsored annual Student Research

Symposium Presented workshop to AMC faculty on

student research aimed at Defining research across disciplines Presenting models of existing AMC student-

faculty collaborations

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Fosters engagement in learning For students & faculty

Form of problem solving & application Evidence leads to

Greater comprehension Greater retention

Increases knowledge of most recent work in the field For students & faculty

Is integrative learning – reinforces learning from multiple courses

Develops skills Students more competitive for

Jobs Graduate programs

Encourages relationships between faculty and students Promotes academic & career advising Mentoring

Is fun! Both students and faculty enjoy it

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Undergraduate research opportunities often increase a student’s interest in

science careers.

Russell, Hancock, and McCullough, 20078

• Increases understanding of the research process

• Builds confidence in research-related abilities

• Enhances awareness of academic and career options in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)

NSF, 20059

Undergraduate research experiences positively effect

a student’s attraction to graduate education. SRI International, 2003

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Nature Chemical Biology, 2008

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The mission of the AMC-SRC is to design and implement a curriculum that incorporates student-faculty research across all academic disciplines. This mode of scholarship is formulated to heighten engagement and creativity in the learning process for both students and faculty .

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1. Patricia Compagnone-Post, Biology and Chemistry2. Hilda Speicher, Psychology3. Stephen Joy, Psychology4. Loel Tronsky, Psychology and Education5. Donna Kaiser, Art Therapy (Master of Arts)6. Evie Lindemann, Art Therapy (Master of Arts)7. Karen Kendrick, Sociology8. Robert Bourgoise, Anthropology9. Deborah Frattini, English10. Howard Fero, Leadership (Master of Arts)11. Sean O’Connell, Dean for UG Day Program/Philosophy

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1. Identify AMC faculty with specific research interests who would participate in the program.

2. Develop a set of program objectives and assessment tools to monitor the pedagogical impact of a research-inclusive curriculum.

3. Disseminate the results of both undergraduate and graduate research projects by hosting on-campus annual symposiums and participating in local and national research meetings.

4. Establish liaisons at other academic institutions and organizations (public and private) to help develop research-based educational opportunities.

5. Identify sources of $$$$$$$$$$ to support student and faculty research agendas.

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1st Symposium February 2008 Biology, psychology, art therapy, anthropology,

education, chemistry Undergraduates (accelerated and day programs) MA Students (Art Therapy & Liberal Studies) Students worked on AMC and Yale campuses

2nd Symposium March 2009 Biology, psychology, art therapy, business, education Undergraduates (accelerated and day programs) MA Students (Art Therapy & Business Administration) Students worked on AMC campus and at the CT

Agricultural Experiment Station

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Who? Current Students (Day, ADP, ND, MA programs) Former Students (alumni, students of alumni)

How Do Students Participate in Research? In class as a project As a Practicum or Internship (on or off campus) As Master’s Thesis (possibly senior thesis?) As volunteer

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1. Psychology of Intimacy Lab (H. Speicher) - library research (e.g., journal articles) - data entry & analysis using SPSS - design and conduct original studies - code data (videotapes, written text) - organize research files and research library - co-author conference presentations & manuscripts

2. Chromatin modification effects on gene expression (P. Compagnone-Post) - laboratory component of biology department courses (“continuum design”) - summer internship program - tours of off-campus research facilities - attendance at departmental seminars

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CUR Mission Statement – Learning Through Research

The mission of the Council on Undergraduate Research is to support and promote high-quality undergraduate student-faculty collaborative research and scholarship.

“CUR believes that faculty members enhance their teaching and contribution to society by remaining active in research and by involving undergraduates in research.”

Programs offered:- Workshops - Support for faculty development- Outreach activities to share successful models- National poster session- Publications

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