Paper Authors

Abstract

NOTE: The first page of text has been automatically extracted and included below in lieu of an abstract

Session #3650

“Research, Report Writing, and Representation”: The Most Viable 3Rs for Critical Thinking and Effective Communication Skills in SMET Education. By

Christopher C. Ibeh Director, PSU/NSF-REU Program Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS 66762

ABSTRACT

The use of research for the development of critical thinking and effective communication skills is a current trend in science, mathematics, engineering and technology (SMET) education. This trend is epitomized by the National Science Foundation (NSF) sponsored Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program; currently there are approximately 300 REU sites nationwide. The role of research in critical thinking and communication skills development is optimized when used in combination with report writing and report presentation (representation). The 3Rs (Research, Report Writing, and Representation) incorporate the essential elements of critical thinking and effective communication such as literature search for development of ideas (ideation) and knowledge base, experimentation for verification of developed ideas and data generation, analyses and interpretation of generated data using course concepts and fundamentals, report writing for documentation of research results and development of writing skills, and report presentation for development of oral communication skills and dissemination of research findings.

1. Introduction

The use of research as a viable instructional and educational tool is a current trend in academia.

The concept of the 3Rs, research, report writing and representation (report presentation) is a very viable medium for critical thinking and effective communication skills especially when utilized as a total package, as is frequently the case. Invariably, accreditation agencies, funding agencies, educational organizations and even industry are requiring the dissemination of research findings vis-à-vis project reports, publications and presentations, as standard operating procedure. It is typical for faculty who engage in research to involve their students in one form of research or another(1). This pedagogical approach to instruction and education popularly referred to at the Pittsburg State University (PSU) College of Technology as “by doing learn” is based on the concepts of mentoring, advisement and guidance. Research inherently involves planning, organization, direction, control, discipline, and most importantly ideation and implementation; these are some of the elements of critical thinking.

One of the foremost and current definitions of “critical thinking” is given by Joanne Gaine

Proceedings of the 2001 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright © 2001, American Society for Engineering Education

• Citation

• Format
  • APA
  • APA - LaTeX bibitem
  • MLA
  • MLA - LaTeX bibitem
  • Bibtex
  • EndNote - RIS

Ibeh, C. (2001, June), Research, Report Writing And Representation: The Most Viable 3 Rs For Critical Thinking And Effective Communication Skills In Smet Education. Paper presented at 2001 Annual Conference, Albuquerque, New Mexico. 10.18260/1-2--9740