Creating the research and innovation ecosystem

Abstract

Studies have found compelling evidence indicating the importance of mentoring in promoting the development of a scholar in higher education. Often it is viewed as a relationship between professors and graduate students or junior faculty members. It also assumes professors' influence on students' development through the courses they teach. The topic has been studied thoroughly but it still raises some concerns. As practice indicates, tenure-track/tenured professors mostly teach advanced courses, and term/adjunct instructors, who generally do not have extensive research experience, focus on undergraduate education. This creates a gap in how research and teaching are viewed and approached at different levels, and may have a negative impact on students’ success if they choose to pursue their education at a higher level. The Personalized Learning in Applied IT (PLAIT) laboratory offers a comprehensive approach by promoting a nourishing research environment in which professors (adjunct, term, tenure-track, tenured) and students at all levels are empowered in an innovative research ecosystem by participating in a wide variety of synergic research activities. This session gives an opportunity to PLAIT members to present their roles in the research process, describe how it helps them grow as a scholar, and discuss this replicable model.