We are delighted that Adalyn Heng from the Department of Psychology has been selected by the NUS as the sole FASS winner of the 2016 Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher Prize (OURP), on the basis of her recent honours thesis research mentored by Dr Stephen Lim, Director of the NUS Cognition and Education Laboratory.
The researchers comment: “In educational settings, the ability to ask good questions is critical. In this study, we explored the extent to which retrieval practice can enhance learners’ ability to generate higher-order questions. Participants were randomly allocated to one of two learning groups, wherein they either studied a text per se (S_S_) or used a combination of repeated studying and repeated retrieval (SRSR). They returned a week later and generated questions based on the text which they had studied. We observed that participants in the SRSR group asked significantly more higher-order questions than did those in the S_S_ group. This observation has important implications for how we might improve classroom engagement and learning in the real world.”
In addition, Adalyn shares her research experience: “I have learnt the importance of reflection in the research process. At times, making progress on research requires one to take a step back to reflect on and reconnect with one’s initial purpose of embarking on the project. For example, the research process is often fraught with various methodological challenges, ranging from selecting (or developing) experimental materials, specifying the experimental task and conditions, to deciding what statistical tool to use to analyze the data. In addressing these methodological challenges, it is important to stay connected to the overarching purpose of the research and to not lose sight of the larger picture, which in this instance, is to ultimately enhance pedagogical practices. I owe what I have achieved thus far to Dr Lim’s patience and generosity in mentoring and nurturing me. I am beyond grateful.”
We extend our congratulations to Adalyn and Dr Lim!