Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 6, 2025

Author Spotlight: Enhancing Engineering Education via WebVR-Based Online Laboratories
Published on: February 23, 2024
Understanding the Benefits of Residential Field Courses: The Importance of Class Learning Goal Orientation and Class
Stephanie Shaulskiy1, Alison Jolley2, Kari O'Connell3
1ADVANCE Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48104.
Abstract:
While previous literature finds many benefits to participation in undergraduate field courses, the mechanisms for how these benefits develop is still unknown. This study explores these mechanisms and any unique benefits of field courses by examining results from pre and post surveys about scientific literacy, future science plans, and motivation and belonging for undergraduate students who took courses in one field station setting (n = 249) and one traditional on-campus setting (n = 118). We found positive associations between the field station setting and scientific literacy as well as future science plans. In addition, this study finds support for the serial and multiple mediation of class learning goal orientation and class belonging in explaining the relationships between the field station setting and scientific literacy as well as future science plans. The results of this study have implications for enhancing field course design and increasing access and inclusion.
Related Concept Videos
Robbers Cave
Classical Conditioning
Ivan Pavlov observed that dogs...
Purposive Learning
Cognitive Dissonance
Case Studies
Cognitive Learning
E. C. Tolman's theory of purposive behavior emphasizes that much behavior is goal-directed. He argued that to understand behavior, we must look at the entire sequence of actions leading to a goal. For instance, high school students study hard, not just due to past reinforcement but also to achieve the goal of getting into a good college.
Tolman introduced the idea that behavior is influenced by...

