Learning and Emotional Outcomes after the Application of Invention Activities in a Sample of University Students

Invention activities can promote reflective learning processes. However, their inclusion in educational practice can generate doubts because they take up time that can otherwise be invested in explaining content, and because some students might experience frustration and anxiety while trying to solve them. This study experimentally evaluated the efficacy of invention activities in a university statistics class, considering both emotions (self-reported) and learning achieved. In total, 43 students were randomly assigned to either (a) inventing variability measures before receiving instruction about the topic of statistical variability, or (b) completing a similar problem-solving activity, but only after they had received guidance with a worked example concerning the target concepts. Students in the first condition acquired greater conceptual knowledge, which is an indicator of deep learning. The emotions experienced during the learning activities were similar in both learning conditions. However, it was notable that enjoyment during the invention phase of the invention condition was strongly associated with higher achievement. Invention activities are a promising educational strategy that require students to play an active role, and can promote deep learning. This study also provides implementation guidelines for teachers while discussing the possibilities offered by new technologies.

The library projects realized to the Institute jubilee

The Library of Natural Sciences of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) (a division of Pushchino Research Center RAS) has implemented several large-scaled projects in the light of preparing to celebrate the anniversary of the Institute of Protein Research RAS. Among them is a bibliometric analysis of publication activity of all researchers of the Institute including the information on the publications number, international cooperation, highly cited publications, distribution of papers by quartiles of the publishers with providing this information at the library website. Due to the interest shown in invention activities, we have analyzed the patents' thematic areas of the Institute. Another aspect of the study was to set up a portal on scientific schools of the Institute of Protein Research, which highlights the scientific area and schools significance, the leaders' part in every school, scientific papers of schools and its fellows, awards and honours, defended theses, bibliometric analysis of publications. The next research direction was to create a data base on the former researchers who live abroad in order to invite research scientists-compatriots to establish scientific-professional contacts.

Invention Activities Support Statistical Reasoning

Students investigate how well an online game helps them learn.