Evaluation of Parallel Authentic Research-Based Courses in Human Biology on Student Experiences at Stanford University and the University of Gothenburg

Main Article Content

Jacob Lindh
Claes Annerstedt
Thor Besier
Gordon O Matheson
Martin Rydmark

Abstract

Abstract: Under a previous grant (2005-08), researchers and teachers at Stanford University (SU) and the University of Gothenburg (GU) co-designed a ten-week interdisciplinary, research-based laboratory course in human biology to be taught online to undergraduate students. Essentials in the subject were taught during the first four weeks of this course. Subsequently, student groups at SU and GU developed their own research questions, conducted live-streamed experiments remotely, processed their unique data with support from multiple interactive resources, cross-cultural collaboration and an interdisciplinary network of expert consultants, and presented original scientific results remotely. Student course-perceptions were evaluated using online questionnaires, scientific logbooks, and observations. In student teams from both universities, the course concept clearly improved student abilities to conduct research using laboratory experiments while learning theoretical basics. A comparison of pre and post course scores from student surveys showed that post course student comfort levels with several research-related tasks increased radically at both universities. All participating staff generally agreed that the methods and tools were valuable in this type of course and should be evaluated at other levels and areas of higher education, and shared in an expanded network of universities.

 

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How to Cite
Lindh, J., Annerstedt, C., Besier, T., Matheson, G. O., & Rydmark, M. (2016). Evaluation of Parallel Authentic Research-Based Courses in Human Biology on Student Experiences at Stanford University and the University of Gothenburg. Journal of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, 16(5), 70–91. https://doi.org/10.14434//josotl.v16i5.19975
Section
Case Studies
Author Biographies

Jacob Lindh, Department of Food and Nutrition, and Sport Science University of Gothenburg

Lecturer, doctoral student

Claes Annerstedt, Department of Food and Nutrition, and Sport Science University of Gothenburg

Professor in Pedagogy

Department Chief at the Dep. of Food and Nutrition, and Sport Science, University of Gothenburg

Thor Besier, Auckland Bioengineering Institute & Dept of Engineering Science

Ass. Professor Associate Director Research

Gordon O Matheson, Sports Medicine Center, Stanford University, USA

M.D. PhD, Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery (Sports Medicine) at the Stanford University Medical Center

Director of Sports Medicine, Stanford University

Martin Rydmark, Institution for Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg

MD, Ph.D. and professsor in medical informatics and computer assisted education Associate professor in anatomy

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