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As instructors, we make pedagogical choices with the understanding that we may never see the full impact those choices have on students\u2019 learning and growth. One exception I\u2019ve found especially rewarding is integrating undergraduate research as a pedagogical strategy. Through this approach, I\u2019ve been able to see students genuinely activate their curiosity, gain knowledge and understanding, think critically, and articulate their learning.<\/span> The Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) <\/span>defines undergraduate research<\/span><\/a> as \u201ca mentored investigation or creative inquiry conducted by undergraduates that seeks to make a scholarly or artistic contribution to knowledge.\u201d WCU is known for offering undergraduate research opportunities through programming, funding, and conferences. For example, WCU\u2019s <\/span>Research and Scholarship Celebration (RASC)<\/span><\/a>, scheduled for March 25-26, 2026, provides the perfect venue for students to showcase their research and creative work.<\/span> Have you\u00a0been looking for ways to foster student curiosity and inspire deeper learning? The following assignment ideas invite students to take ownership of their learning and create projects they can proudly present at conferences such as RASC.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Certainly, the context of your courses, such as the number of enrolled students, will factor in whether undergraduate research as a pedagogical strategy works for you. For more information about undergraduate research as a pedagogical strategy, aligning your student learning outcomes with undergraduate research projects, or scaffolding and assessing research assignments, please stop by the Coulter Faculty Commons at Hunter Library 172, call us at 828.227.7196, or <\/span>make an appointment.<\/span><\/a> For questions about undergraduate research compliance and human subject compliance, contact the Office of Research Administration at <\/span>irb@wcu.edu<\/span><\/a> or 828.227.2921.<\/span> For more information about RASC, contact Suzanne Melton at scmelton@wcu.edu<\/a> or 828.227.2575.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As instructors, we make pedagogical choices with the understanding that we may never see the full impact those choices have on students\u2019 learning and growth. One exception I\u2019ve found especially […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3284,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[57,717,439,647,168,436],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23894","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog","category-mentoring","category-pedagogy","category-research","category-student-engagement","category-teaching-and-learning"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":22015,"url":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/blog\/2025\/01\/15\/etle-spring-2025\/","url_meta":{"origin":23894,"position":0},"title":"ETLE – Spring 2025","author":"Anabel Livengood","date":"January 15, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"","rel":"","context":"In "AI"","block_context":{"text":"AI","link":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/blog\/category\/ai\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"QR code to registration form.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/87\/2025\/01\/ETLE-2025-reg-SV_9ohl1hG2sh0Hp2e-qrcode.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":21131,"url":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/blog\/2023\/02\/24\/summer-institute-for-teaching-learning-sitl-2023\/","url_meta":{"origin":23894,"position":1},"title":"Summer Institute for Teaching & Learning (SITL) 2023","author":"Ian Selig","date":"February 24, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"","rel":"","context":"In "Blog"","block_context":{"text":"Blog","link":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/blog\/category\/blog\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/87\/2023\/02\/Bradshaw.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":20384,"url":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/blog\/2021\/11\/09\/plagiarism-as-pedagogical-question\/","url_meta":{"origin":23894,"position":2},"title":"Plagiarism as Pedagogical Question","author":"Jonathan Bradshaw","date":"November 9, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Think back to a piece of writing you produced that makes you proud. 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