Project-Based Learning and Doctoral Student Research Skill Development in an Online Professional Practice Doctoral Program

• In Event: 25.083 - MTCC Roundtable Session Eight
  In Roundtable Session: 25.083-10 - Curricular Skill Development in Graduate Education

Abstract

The rising trend in online education doctoral programs has produced a concurrent necessity to ensure students in these programs develop the requisite skills to become effective practitioner scholars able to contribute to solving problems of practice. This qualitative study answers the question - What happens when doctoral students engage in problem-based learning (PBL) to develop their skills as practitioner researchers? Data analysis revealed three tensions the students had to navigate as they enacted practitioner scholarship. These included: (1) Individual versus Collective Learning, (2) Simulated versus Real Research Experience, and (3) Public versus Behind the Scenes Discussions. Overall, the research provides insight on the call to develop scholarly practitioners who incorporate practical and professional skills to enact more socially just schools.

Authors

• Nancy Fichtman Dana, University of Florida

• Vicki A. Vescio, University of Florida

• James Kieran Rigney, University of Florida

• Vera Ma, University of Florida