Leveraging Digital Ecosystems for Collaborative Undergraduate Research
Marshall McMunn
Description
This presentation explores implementing a comprehensive digital workflow designed to give students the opportunity to act as field ecologists within a Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE). To cultivate a collaborative research environment, the course integrates a suite of digital tools that extend learning beyond the traditional classroom setting.
Discord facilitates continuous peer-to-peer discussion and community building, while Blogger serves as a persistent digital record of the cohort's activities. Concurrently, students develop quantitative skills by asynchronously learning RStudio for data analysis. A key component of this pedagogical approach is the utilization of rotating student leadership roles—specifically, a "Master of Ceremonies" and "Class Blogger"—which empower students to take ownership of their learning and lead peers to accomplish complex, collaborative research initiatives.
This session will provide educators with a clear framework for adapting these digital workflows to their own courses.
Link to the video [video.ucdavis.edu]
Submit a question for Dr. McMunn to answer during the live discussion panels at SITT.
About the Presenter
Marshall McMunn is an Assistant Professor of Teaching and community ecologist in the department of Entomology and Nematology at UC Davis. Dr. McMunn teaches Animal Biology and Introductory Biology courses and serves as the Animal Biology major faculty advisor.
