Innovations in Education

Dr. Taff mentors students interested in Innovations in Education. This scholarly experience gives students opportunities to gain knowledge, skills and experience in education-related projects, including educational research, curriculum development, instructional design, program evaluation, and scholarship of teaching and learning activities. Students should consider this experience if they are interested in developing innovations in the science of learning, fieldwork education, patient and caregiver education, professional and educational leadership, interprofessional education, public health education, and establishing a foundation for a career in educational contexts. In general, personal transportation is not required.

General Description of Student Activities

Student work will use a variety approaches (qualitative, mixed methods, systematic and scoping reviews, needs assessments, program evaluation) to investigate problems and possibilities in teaching, learning and education. This includes evaluating teaching methods, interprofessional education, use of technology and media in classrooms, gauging the effect of student and faculty stress on mental health/academic performance, or investigating student attributes and their influence on learning. Students will also be guided in developing educational/training needs assessments, curricular design and evaluation of educational outcomes in both student and clinical education settings. Students may produce a manuscript that can be published in peer-reviewed literature and have the opportunity to present their research findings at local, state or national conferences.

Examples of Projects

• Student flourishing in occupational therapy education
• The Rainb-OT Program: Promoting an inclusive campus environment and integrating LGBTQ+ diversity training into occupational therapy curricula
• Coping mechanisms for combating stress in occupational therapy faculty
• Improving dissemination and implementation science in occupational therapy through podcasting
• Introducing podcasts to occupational therapy curricula