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Description of exemplary or innovative element The
Graduate Student Journal Club is a public presentation of a recently
published paper that is of general interest to the Neuroscience
community.
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Details of the element This element appears in the first year of the graduate programThe graduate students together with a faculty advisor implement the programIt is required for all students every year that they are in the programIt was instituted a number of years ago in order to give the students an opportunity to hone their public speaking skills
Student talk poster 1
These posters are here so that you can see what sort of papers were
selected this past term. The theme was "related to your own work".
Student talk poster 2
Student talk poster 3
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What educational purpose does this element serve? This
element serves to hone the public speaking skills as well the ability
to create an effective presentation and to think on their feet. More
recently, senior students have taken junior students "under their wing"
and advised them on choice of paper and worked with them to teach them
how to generate effective powerpoints and listened to their practice
talks. Thus, students also learn how to teach others to give talks.
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What data or evidence tells us that this works? Students are more confident of speaking abilitiesFaculty participation (as an audience) remains highThey win awards for presentations at university-wide research meetingsThey are more effective teachersThey enjoy giving presentations and lecturesThey become confident enough to teach others how to give presentations
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Diane Jaworski, Assoc. Prof.
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Reflection from a faculty member Because
the Graduate Student Journal Club selects a different theme each
semester, it increases student's breadth of knowledge by familiarizing
them with topics to which they would not otherwise be exposed. Journal
Club also allows faculty members to stay current with literature and
explore areas outside their research focus. By critically evaluating
scientific literature outside their research area, students become more
at ease stepping outside their "comfort zone". Furthermore, by
continually honing their presentation skills, it further helps to
develop their sense of self-confidence. Thus, the Graduate Student
Journal Club is an outstanding feature of our doctoral program.
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Julie Simpson
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Reflection from a student I
am currently a fifth year graduate student in the Department of Anatomy
and Neurobiology at the University of Vermont. In our program, students
are required to present one journal article per semester starting
second semester of their first year. At first this requirement seemed a
daunting and intimidating task. However, this program has proven
invaluable in my training to become a scientist. It has enabled me to
critically evaluate all aspects of primary research from the methods
used to the interpretation of the results. In addition, presenting
primary literature has allowed me to hone my presentation skills and
gain confidence in addressing and interacting with professors within
our department. My first year, this requirement terrified me. Now, I am
indebted to this one aspect of our program because it has shown me that
I am an effective speaker and scientist.
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