Research study on what to teach in first-year courses is underway

Prof. Mairi Cowan is conducting a SoTL (Scholarship of Teaching and Learning) study titled, “What Students Should Learn in a First-Year Course: Gathering Insights from Upper-Year Students.” She is working with Tom Young, a doctoral student at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, and the study is supported by a grant from the Pedagogical Research Fund. Students who have completed a first-year History course and at least one additional History course at the second-, third-, or fourth-year level will be invited to complete a survey and join a focus group to tell researchers what they think is important for students to learn in a first-year course. Results will help instructors decide what to prioritize in their teaching, and publications will be shared on our department website.