Learning through Research Projects and Applying this Knowledge to Achieve a University Degree Concepción M. Gascueña Rafael Guadalupe EDULEARN11 CONFERENCE

Learning through Research Projects and Applying this Knowledge to

Achieve a University Degree

Concepción M. GascueñaRafael Guadalupe

EDULEARN11 CONFERENCE

July 2011

Escuela Universitaria Informática.


E.T.S. de Ingenieros en Topografía Geodesia y Cartografía


LEARNING THROUGH RESEARCH PROJECTS…

Contents Introduction Motivations Objectives Proposal Results Surveys Conclusions and Future Works





In most university degrees students after passing all courses in the current syllabus, must carry out a final-year project FYP.

This is a small project which tries to include most of the knowledge acquired during their university studies.

The final project is a mandatory requirement to obtain the university degree.

Introduction

Introduction

• Motivation

• Objectives

• Proposal

• Results

• Surveys

• Conclusions

• Future Work





In this paper we study the problem of dropouts after starting FYP.

There are a large number of students who have not completed their FYP.

Consequently they do not have a university degree and they are not recognized as qualified professionals, being therefore more poorly paid than those professionals with a degree.

Introduction

Introduction

• Motivation

• Objectives

• Proposal

• Results

• Surveys

• Conclusions

• Future Work





There are many studies on the rate of dropouts from college.

They mainly focus on the first courses but there are few that deal with those dropouts after starting FYP.

We wonder, what happens with the students who have been able to complete and pass all undergraduate courses, and yet they are not able to finish a project which will give them a university degree?.

Why do they find it so difficult to finish?.

Introduction

Introduction

• Motivation

• Objectives

• Proposal

• Results

• Surveys

• Conclusions

• Future Work





The truth is that students do not consider leaving their FYP unfinished, they simply slowly leave it aside as most of the time they are busy with other tasks, and when they realize it, time has passed.

The longer students take to finish their undergraduate university studies, the more difficult it is for them to carry out the FYP, for various reasons, such as:o Jobs. o Family issues. o Loss of contact with the university. o Loss of habit of studying, etc.

Introduction

Introduction

• Motivation

• Objectives

• Proposal

• Results

• Surveys

• Conclusions

• Future Work





Learning through Research Projects…






In this article we propose to use research projects within an environment where students can carry out their FYP to obtain the corresponding higher degree more easily.

In our experience as university professors and researchers we have found that when students develop their final project in scope of a research project, they rarely leave it.

They even get higher marks in the evaluation of FYP than those students who produce a FYP on their own but supervised by a tutor.

Motivation

Introduction

• Motivation

• Objectives

• Proposal

• Results

• Surveys

• Conclusions

• Future Work





Research projects provide students with a means of using what they have learned during their undergraduate university studies as well a acquire new knowledge.

This allows them to get an idea of the professional world that awaits them outside the university.

Motivation

• Introduction

Motivation

• Objectives

• Proposal

• Results

• Surveys

• Conclusions

• Future Work





The "privileged" students, who receive the proposal of working on a research project with the possibility of doing their FYP therein, they think:

– That it is a personal achievement.

– That they themselves have been chosen, for their knowledge, for being good students, etc.

– Not as part of the education system.

This individualization acts positively on them.

Motivation

• Introduction

Motivation

• Objectives

• Proposal

• Results

• Surveys

• Conclusions

• Future Work











The main objective of this study is to make an appeal on the issue of FYPs dropout, by those students who have passed all courses in the current syllabus.

When furthermore, the realization of this final project is an essential requirement to obtain the university degree.

The derivative objectives are to define methodologies from two perspectives:

– On the one hand, the FYPs should be developed within the context of a research project.

– On the other hand, the FYPs should be coordinated by one particular department, independently of habitual director.

Objectives

• Introduction

• Motivation

Objectives

• Proposal

• Results

• Surveys

• Conclusions

• Future Work











In the process undertaken so far to obtain the university degree:

The academic courses are considered as a block and the FYP as another independent block.

This separation causes students to view the FYP as something secondary.

Consequently they do not give the FYP the importance it really has.

Proposal: Preliminary

• Introduction

• Motivation

• Objectives

Proposal

o Preliminary

• Results

• Surveys

• Conclusions

• Future Work





Problems in approaching the realization of FYPs, I

Let's say that the expected reward in completing the degree is to get a job.

When a student achieves it, after finishing the undergraduate courses, the ultimate goal which is to have their FYP quickly fades, away.

Only, when they have been working for years, they realize that they are making less money than they would get if they were fully qualified.

As, they are not qualified graduates nor engineers, yet.


• Introduction

• Motivation

• Objectives

Proposal

o Preliminary

• Results

• Surveys

• Conclusions

• Future Work





Problems in approaching the realization of FYPs, II

We wonder: if enterprises are to blame?.

Is it true that they choose undergraduate students rather than graduates, because they can pay them less?.

The fact is, that apparently in order to hire a worker, employers do not mind if the candidate has not finished his FYP and doesn’t have a degree.


• Introduction

• Motivation

• Objectives

Proposal

o Preliminary

• Results

• Surveys

• Conclusions

• Future Work





Causes of dropouts after the start of a FYP, I

Several studies on the causes of dropout, speak of:

–Maladjustment.

–Lack of knowledge to meet higher education.

–Lack of information.

–Unclear goals.

–Difficulties in teaching and learning methodologies.

–Poor academic performance.

Low motivation, in general, and due to vocational problems, in particular.


• Introduction

• Motivation

• Objectives

Proposal

o Preliminary

• Results

• Surveys

• Conclusions

• Future Work





Causes of dropouts after the start of a FYP, II

However, these causes are not the same as those that students may have to give up the degree unfinished, only lacking the FYP.

In this case, the students have surpassed all previous obstacles.


• Introduction

• Motivation

• Objectives

Proposal

o Preliminary

• Results

• Surveys

• Conclusions

• Future Work





Causes of dropouts after the start of a FYP, III

We highlight some important causes as to why a student

does not finish on FYP:

–Despondency and discouragement.

–Work.


• Introduction

• Motivation

• Objectives

Proposal

o Preliminary

• Results

• Surveys

• Conclusions

• Future Work





Causes of dropouts after the start of a FYP, IVDespondency and discouragement

Currently, when students decide do FYP; studens:

–Seeking a tutor to guide them during their implementation.

–Them do the work alone.

–Do not have to attend college, only for interviews with his tutor.

–So, they do not have teaching contact with other colleagues.

This, in most cases causes students to be discouraged.


• Introduction

• Motivation

• Objectives

Proposal

o Preliminary

• Results

• Surveys

• Conclusions

• Future Work





Causes of dropouts after the start of a FYP, V

Despondency and discouragement

The tutor "spends his time" directing the students,

sometimes even directing work in areas of knowledge

that will require extra preparation.

This too can make him feel frustrated having unfinished

projects.


• Introduction

• Motivation

• Objectives

Proposal

o Preliminary

• Results

• Surveys

• Conclusions

• Future Work





Causes of dropouts after the start of a FYP, VI

Work

We think that the most widespread cause of dropouts on FYPs, is that:

– Students try to " reconcile work and FYP”.

– Which at first seems tolerable and available.

– However, it is difficult to reconcile.

– So, they will gradually leave the FYP.

– Devoting less time.

– Until they end up forgetting it.


• Introduction

• Motivation

• Objectives

Proposal

o Preliminary

• Results

• Surveys

• Conclusions

• Future Work





Methodology proposed

We believe that the FYP should be undertaken right after the undergraduate courses, not years later. And must be an integral part of the university degree.

We propose to use Research Projects within an environment where students can develop the FYP to obtain their degree more easily.

Proposal: Methodology

• Introduction

• Motivation

• Objectives

Proposal

o Preliminary

o Methodology

• Results

• Surveys

• Conclusions

• Future Work





We think that the FYP must be an integral part of the university degree, not an appendix to the undergraduate courses.

Also, should have a specific department responsible for coordinating and tracking the FYP, we could call "Tracking Department of FYP".


• Introduction

• Motivation

• Objectives

Proposal

o Preliminary

o Methodology

• Results

• Surveys

• Conclusions

• Future Work





Using research projects as an approach to solve the problems here proposed:

•Is a bridge between university studies and future employment.

•The clash between the two teaching approaches: undergraduate courses and FYP is not as large.

•It is a step in the formation of a student.

•It is an educational work but oriented towards the outside world of employment.


• Introduction

• Motivation

• Objectives

Proposal

o Preliminary

o Methodology

• Results

• Surveys

• Conclusions

• Future Work





LEARNING THROUGH RESEARCH PROJECTS…






Results

Problems Causes Solutions

The FYP is considered as an appendix to the undergraduate courses

Despondency/DiscouragementDropout

The FYP be an integral part of the university degree.

A tracking Department of FYP, in addition of habitual tutor.

To use research projects within an environment where students can carry out their FYP.

The students seek and find jobs before they graduate

FYP & WorkdayThe students are unable to perform the two jobs at once Dropout / Delay

In addition to the above ..

Giving more importance to the higher qualification.

Giving more importance to the FYP as a means to obtain the degree.

That the FYP is developed after finishing undergraduate courses and not years after leaving the university.





Learning through Research Projects…Contents

Introduction Motivations Objectives Proposal Results Surveys Conclusions and Future Works





Surveys

Graph with the dropout rate of FYP according to several groups of professors of our university.





Surveys

1º. The 12% of FYPs started have not been officially registered; these are the projects that have been abandoned before delivering the Previous Project.

2º. There is a 17% of dropout after delivering the Previous Project.3º. And a 71% of projects finished.











In this work we have carried out a small study about some problems and causes for students to leave unfinished the FYP or delay its completion.

This to us is a great failure, as these students do not get the degree and they cannot be called Graduates or Engineers.

We believe that within educational model valid until this moment, that the way to make up the FYPs has shortcomings and is ineffective.

We propose some solutions to improve or eradicate the problem of abandonment in these cases.

• Introduction

• Motivation

• Objectives

•Proposal

o Preliminary

o Methodology

Conclusions

• Future Work

Conclusions





The proposed solutions follow the focus of “Positive Psychology” to try assists students and that they do not feel discouraged or alone in developing the FYP.

It seems important to us that the FYP is developed after finishing undergraduate courses and not years after leaving the university.

We proposed that the FYPs are developed within the scope of research projects.

We explained the benefits this can provide to students in their personal, academic, and professional development.

• Introduction

• Motivation

• Objectives

•Proposal

o Preliminary

o Methodology

Conclusions

• Future Work

Conclusions





We believe that this proposal may be of interest for the students and may help them focus on the final year project in a more useful, efficient and fast way.

We proposed some good practices and tips for successful integration of students in the field of the research project.

This will prevent dropouts and at the same time be a help for the researcher.

• Introduction

• Motivation

• Objectives

•Proposal

o Preliminary

o Methodology

Conclusions

• Future Work

Conclusions





We suggest that FYP be fully integrated within the undergraduate courses.

A specific department "Tracking Department of FYP“ should be set-up to with sufficient power to coordinate and track FYPs along with the regular tutor.

This will prevent the despondency and discouragement of the students, cause of

abandonment and delay in completion of FYP.

• Introduction

• Motivation

• Objectives

•Proposal

o Preliminary

o Methodology

Conclusions

• Future Work

Conclusions





In summary this paper proposes solutions for top university students, to culminate their years of study invested in obtaining a degree, in a successful, efficient, quick, and no-traumatic manner.

In future research we plan to do a more thorough study on this topic with larger surveys in more depth to detect, in addition, other causes of the dropout.

• Introduction

• Motivation

• Objectives

•Proposal

o Preliminary

o Methodology

Conclusions

Future Work

Conclusions and Future Work

Edulearn11, Barcelona (Spain)

Concepción M. Gascueñ[email protected] Rafael Guadalupe [email protected]

Learning through Research Projects and Applying this Knowledge to Achieve a

University Degree



E.T.S. Ingenieros en Topografía

Geodesia y Cartografía



mailto:[email protected]




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Bibliography

Edulearn11, Barcelona (Spain)

Concepción M. Gascueñ[email protected] Rafael Guadalupe [email protected]

Learning through Research Projects and Applying this Knowledge to Achieve a

University Degree







Documents

Learning through Research Projects and Applying this Knowledge to Achieve a University Degree Concepción M. Gascueña Rafael Guadalupe EDULEARN11 CONFERENCE