Engaging social sciences and public policy students in research experiences using agile methodology
Topics: Geography Education
, Higher Education
, Education
Keywords: Experiential Learning, Teaching, Agile Methodology, Project Management
Session Type: Virtual Paper Abstract
Day: Sunday
Session Start / End Time: 2/27/2022 08:00 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/27/2022 09:20 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 50
Authors:
Crystal Taylor, Florida State University
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Abstract
As the demand for experiential learning opportunities continues to increase in popularity, students encountered even more competition than in previous years due in part to the virtual limitations and the economic uncertainty associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Universities and colleges that offered applied research experiences and internships faced an unprecedented demand to stretch their existing faculty and staff to fill the lingering research mentorship gap. While managing a group of experiential learners on research projects is manageable when numbers remain relatively small, the ability to effectively scale these opportunities can not only be a staffing problem, but also a project management issue. While a waterfall management style with discrete and sequential steps works well for some environments, agile methodology offers an alternative approach to scale student opportunities within a dynamic setting. This research explores literature from business and computer sciences with a focus on how agile methodology from software development industry processes can inform experiential learning opportunities within the social sciences. This study reports on preliminary findings based on feedback from 30 students working on independent and team research projects. The research offers best practices and lessons learned for applying agile methodology in the social sciences and public policy setting.
Engaging social sciences and public policy students in research experiences using agile methodology
Category
Virtual Paper Abstract
Description
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