Basic Research Literacy Courses - Essay Example

?Making Research Interesting Introduction In the research, “An Online Graphic Novel: Experiences and Research Literacy Gains,” Shipwright, Mallory, Atack, & Demacio (2010) venture if students’ learning with regard to research course was positively affected with the use of the specified online tool. The researchers are part of Centennial College, which is the first community college in Ontario. They have an Applied Research and Innovation Centre (ARIC) which deals with how the latest contributions of technology can be integrated into different fields to enhance learning among students. Researchers have presented that basic research literacy courses are not appealing to students, and they usually have negative feelings towards it. The Human Resources Development in Canada had expressed that employers have found skills developed through research courses as vital for work (as cited in Shipwright et al., 2010, p. 574). The researchers were burdened of this need, and thus aimed to enhance learning in the said courses through the use of an online graphic novel called Citizen Researcher (CR). Through this multimedia, they intend to stimulate the students’ interest in research. Guided by these goals, there are four research questions formulated for this study: (1) What impact does CR have on students’ perceptions of their research literacy skills?; (2) What is the students’ level of satisfaction with the course content, design delivery method and learning activities?; (3) What are students’ experiences with CR?; and (4) What are the strengths, challenges and barriers associated with this new model of course delivery? (p. 576). These are ventured in order to determine the effects of the technology in the students’ learning. Although research literacy courses may be boring and irrelevant to students, utilization of an online graphic novel to arouse their interest and assist in their learning needs may be seen to be of benefit. Details of the said study, through its methods, results, conclusions, strengths and limitations, et cetera, are reviewed and analyzed in order to appreciate the significance of such endeavor. Review and Analysis I. Methods A descriptive study using surveys and interviews was conducted among 18 full-time undergraduate students in 14 programs, who were attending post-secondary college in a large city (p. 576). Three surveys were made, one demographic, and pre-post Research Literacy Competency surveys. The demographic survey provided a profile for the learners, including their reading habits and Internet skills. The Research Literacy Competency survey conducted before exposing the respondents to the multimedia is used as baseline data for the Research Literacy Competency survey completed after they have utilized the CR. The post-CR exposure survey contained three open-ended items to ask participants for their opinions and suggestions regarding the multimedia. The tools used for both pre- and post Research Literacy Competency surveys are reported to be valid by the Cronbach alpha, and thus said to be reliable. All these mentioned measures are based on self-reports of the learners. Individual telephone interviews which lasted for 10 to 20 minutes, and participated by seven students, were made in order to better understand their experiences with the CR. The interviews utilized a structured guide, then they were taped and transcribed. II. Results and Conclusions The results of the pilot study show and further verify the conclusion of previous literature that using the multimedia yielded satisfactory experiences and it became an instrument to learn research literacy skills (p. 581). Learning the importance of critical thinking is reported by the students, and activities in the CR reinforced key concepts in research. There is also a noticeable significant increase in scores from the pre-course survey as compared to the post-course survey, which is evidence that the multimedia is effective in enhancing the knowledge of the respondents. Although there are positive results, researchers present that there are still lapses with the new multimedia in some aspects, and thus suggest that its integration with a formal curriculum must be done carefully. In addition, this online learning is seen as something to be integrated with the current teaching strategies, rather than adopting it to be a sole strategy. III. Strengths and limitations This research is one of those which venture to find fresh and new ways for students to learn specific courses with the use of technology. The use of an online graphic novel to enhance research literacy skills is effective, but the present endeavor is only a pilot study. Even though this was only a pilot study, there could have been more participants. Inclusion and exclusion groups could have been established as well, since the present sample could not be used to generalize students taking research courses. For instance, the background knowledge they have, their interest for reading, age, et cetera, may vary and thus be risky to create bias. Also, more telephone interviews could have been better in understanding the results gathered from the survey. Despite lapses seen and pointed out, the use of an online graphic novel to aid research literacy skills is generally seen to be effective, and the multimedia only needs some adjustments, as those suggested by the students. IV. Recommendations The use of online graphic novels may be an advantage in gaining more research and critical thinking skills, and this strategy may also be used in other fields that students find “boring” in order to stimulate and motivate them. When such multimedia is improved and found to be more “user-friendly” and effective, it can be integrated formally into the curriculum of certain courses. Instructors should consider adopting the method as an addition to their traditional teaching styles, as learners express that they would recommend using the innovation to other students. Conclusion Shipwright et al. (2010) have exposed the possible benefits of using an online graphic novel in enhancing research literacy skills through the said pilot study. Making research courses more interesting to students would be beneficial in honing their critical thinking, that would largely affect their future in employment and in decisions that have to be made in life. Through additional research knowledge and additional research skills, students will not have a hard time in successful living and lifelong learning. Reference Shipwright, S., Mallory, D., Atack, L., & Demacio, P. (2010). “An online graphic novel: Students’ experiences and research literacy gains. MERLOT Journal of Online Learning and Teaching, 6 (3). Retrieved from http://jolt.merlot.org/vol6no3/atack_0910.pdf Read More