Research Initiation Grant: Examining the Impact of Situated Learning on Undergraduate Student Cognitive Complexity and Motivation to Learn

本工程教育研究启动基金对护理与工程两个专业的情境学习进行比较研究。情境学习是指学习者置身于真实的环境中，如工程实习。研究人员计划研究情境学习如何影响学生构建复杂思想的能力，以及情境学习如何激励他们继续学习所选学科。这个项目的更广泛的意义和重要性将是告知其他项目关于情境学习的影响，这在工程学位课程中越来越多地使用。通过了解情境学习的影响，将有可能更好地将学生从学位课程过渡到劳动力市场。该项目与NSF的战略目标重叠，即通过培养具有新能力和专业知识的工程人才来改变前沿。此外，NSF为社会创新的目标是通过创造对社会有用的结果和研究，为教育政策和实践提供信息。

This engineering education research initiation grant makes a comparative study of situated learning between the two professions of nursing and engineering. Situated learning takes place when learners are placed in an authentic context such as engineering internships. The researchers plan to study how situated learning impacts students ability to construct complex ideas and how it motivates them to continue in their chosen discipline. The broader significance and importance of this project will be to inform other programs on the effects of situated learning, which is increasingly used in engineering degree programs. By understanding the effects of situated learning, it will be possible to better transition students from degree programs into the workforce. This project overlaps with NSF's strategic goals of transforming the frontiers through preparation of an engineering workforce with new capabilities and expertise. Additionally NSF's goal of innovating for society is enabled by creating results and research that are useful for society by informing educational policy and practices.