May 31, 2023
Interested in the neural, cognitive, developmental, psychological, technological, organizational, and social factors that empower successful learning? A new undergraduate transcript distinction at Pitt makes that possible. The distinction enables undergraduate students to take advantage of Pitt's powerful research environment and gain a valuable perspective on a knowledge domain rich in interdisciplinary opportunities and growth.
The distinction was developed by an interdisciplinary team of faculty at Pitt's Learning Research and Development Center (LRDC). As LRDC Director Charles Perfetti, Distinguished University Professor, Psychology, noted "LRDC continues to be a multidisciplinary PhD training center. In addition, in any given year, we have more than 100 undergraduate students contributing to major research projects. The transcript distinction formalizes the link between these research experiences and formal classroom learning. It allows students to document their learning on their academic transcript with a meaningful credential of value to both prospective employers and graduate schools."
The Learning Sciences distinction works seamlessly with students' standing academic requirements and also provides students opportunities to present research findings outside the classroom, in the Provost Office's Undergraduate Research and Creative Expression Showcase, for example. On the curricular side, the distinction is complemented by a course coordinated by LRDC Research Scientist Marc Coutanche, Associate Professor, Psychology, that shows how learning integrates perspectives from diverse but collaborative disciplines and schools across the university. In its inaugural offering in spring 2023, LRDC faculty and research associates introduced students to the theoretical frameworks and research findings on learning from neuroscience; cognitive, developmental, and social psychology; and interpersonal, organizational, and societal perspectives. Students observed research in action with class visits to fMRI, ERP, and robotics tutoring labs; a guided explanation of learning in informal contexts at the Carnegie Museums; and a class delivery of a mathematics teacher coach module. As part of their learning experiences, students undertook their own research explorations.
LRDC Associate Director for Education Research and Practice Lindsay Clare Matsumura, Professor, School of Education, and Research Scientist Frits Pil, Professor of Organizations and Entrepreneurship, Katz Business School, co-chaired the development and implementation of the distinction. Pil and Matsumura credit tremendous excitement and support for the concept from the undergraduate team in the Provost Office, and are thrilled at the opportunity it presents for Pitt students. Pil stated, "This unique transcript credential leverages key Pitt strengths: It's powerful research climate and tradition of interdisciplinary work, alongside the University's commitment to draw on its research portfolio to enhance undergraduate education. The distinction demystifies research for our undergraduates," stated Pil, "We are excited to see a cohort of students who may otherwise not have considered participating in research, bring that into their undergraduate experience. The LRDC provides an exceptional environment to incubate and develop this important learning opportunity."
For more information on the distinction, please visit: Learning Sciences distinction or contact LRDC Director of Communications, Elizabeth Rangel lrangel@pitt.edu.
