Project Investigator(s): Gail Hammond, Lecturer, Food, Nutrition and Health (LFS); Alice Cassidy, Course co-ordinator, Food, Nutrition and Health (LFS)
Project Description
This project is unique in being a multi-level needs assessment that investigates the experiences, understanding and perceptions of self-directed learning (SDL) held by current students registered in two large introductory nutrition classes (same course) and current teaching assistants who were former students in the course. The implications of this research will determine opportunities for developing greater student autonomy in learning early in a 4-year undergraduate program.
Research Questions
In what ways are second year nutrition students ready for self-directed learning (SDL)? In what ways do current and former second year nutrition students conceptualize SDL? What do they consider to be facilitators and barriers to adopting a greater self-directed approach to their learning?
Impact on teaching and learning at UBC
This project will lay the groundwork for incorporating more SDL opportunities into the second year curriculum in Food, Nutrition & Health. Potentially, the findings could inform course design including course objectives and learning activities in Food Science (450 students/year) and LFS core (250 students/year) second-year courses, as well as selected third and fourth year courses. Creating greater student opportunities for personalizing ways to acquire new knowledge early in academic programs could lead to greater sustainability of knowledge throughout the remaining 2 years of undergraduate and well into graduate school or employment in the workforce.