This brief, video-based tutorial presents strategies to students to help them identify potential research interests. The tutorial calls these strategies "brainstorming," but some reflection is also involved.
Type of Material:
Tutorial
Recommended Uses:
Individually as homework outside of class
Technical Requirements:
Browser. Tested in Chrome and Firefox.
Identify Major Learning Goals:
Learners will...
List at least 3 ways to brainstorm their research interests
Brainstorm at least 3 research interests
Target Student Population:
College General Ed, College Lower Division, College Upper Division, Graduate School
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
No prerequisite knowledge needed.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
The tutorial clearly explains its purpose. It is a short, self-contained tutorial that students from many disciplines could use. It includes cute graphics and links to recommended sites.
Concerns:
It is licensed it under a Creative Commons license that allows for adaptions and has an embed feature for adoptions. However, it has specific language to UCLA so it is currently not very useful outside of that institution. Other institutions would still have to create a new video to make it applicable to them.
It is a bit short and could use some expansion on the concepts. Specifically, the video mentioned browsing through academic journals and student posters, but there is no guidance on where to find these materials. URLs to the materials or instructions on how to find the information may be useful (like what was listed for the departmental websites), even if they are included as supplementary materials.
Use of the word "brainstorm" is somewhat confusing. Brainstorming is usually a group activity, or some people use the word to describe a sudden great idea. Here the activity prompts the student to reflect, "look inwards."
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
It has clear learning objectives appropriate for its audience of beginning researchers.
It is very general, so students from many disciplines could find it useful.
It includes good suggestions for thinking about research interests.
Concerns:
While the tutorial is very quick, it also does not cover many concepts. There is potential to expand on the topic and cover more information.
The video seems to be for students who are interested in research generally. It may need some edits for students needing to conduct research on a specific assignment or project.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
It is a well-made video with visually appealing images.
It clearly states the accessibility standards and testing it went through. The subtitles are done well. You can watch the video without listening to it.
For the most part, it is easy to use and engaging.
Concerns:
It was not clear why both questions and accompanying textboxes are not part of the video. It also says to submit your responses, but it is not clear where the submissions are being sent.
Creative Commons:
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