A Work in Process: Research Assignment Design and Pedagogy

Critical Thinking

Have you ever been disappointed in the quality of student research in your classes? You’re not alone. Numerous studies indicate that students across disciplines struggle with nearly every aspect of the research process, from developing viable and compelling research questions to finding and evaluating appropriate information and data sources. This session will give guidance to instructors and introduce them to tools they can adopt or adapt to engage students in an authentic process of inquiry and discovery. Facilitators will share recent scholarship on student research practices and strategies for teaching research as an inquiry-driven process, grounded in critical thinking.

As a result of attending this session, you will be able to:

  • Identify and articulate your own challenges with engaging students in the research process and consider how those experiences align with scholarship on the topic;
  • Examine a curated set of tools and strategies to engage and support students in every aspect of the inquiry process, under the guidance of the facilitators, with the goal of selecting tools to try out with your students;
  • Actively engage in thinking through your own critical thinking and research goals for students and glean new insights into making the process clear and explicit for students.

Session Date

  • 1/17/2017

    Tuesday, 12–1 p.m.
    TILL Classroom

    Register Now

Presenter Bios

Patty Payette, Ph.D., is executive director of “Ideas to Action,” the Quality Enhancement Plan at UofL, and senior associate director of the Delphi Center for Teaching and Learning. Patty has expertise in a variety of teaching and learning topics, including instructional design, critical thinking, and active learning. She consults with schools and colleges nationally on the design and implementation of curricular change initiatives and is an invited speaker on topics related to critical thinking, organizational change, and leadership. She earned a Ph.D. in 2001 from Michigan State University where she also helped lead the growth and development of the Office of Faculty & Organizational Development.

Rob Detmering, MSLS, is Associate Professor and Information Literacy Coordinator at the Ekstrom Library. Rob’s primary role is to provide instruction and research assistance to students and faculty in various academic disciplines, as well as collaborate with campus partners to promote information literacy outcomes across the university. In addition to his work as a teaching librarian, he has taught courses in composition, literature, and new media.

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