263 McCaul,Toronto,
ON. M5S 1A8
Tel:416-978-4474
trp.utoronto.ca
SWARM Description:
Title: Student-led Work AND Research Module (SWARM)
Mission: To provide students with collaborative self-directed opportunities for developing skills, knowledge and experience around skills associated with the mobilization of knowledge and its translation into tangible activities related to Translational Research.
Purpose:
The intention of the modules is to be flexible and allow students to pursue specific interests or activities that contribute to their learning outcomes. Core philosophies of the program include: experiential learning, implementation, problem solving, collaboration and tangible impact.
The SWARM is conceived as “mini-capstone” experiential learning opportunity. TRP studentspropose and implementa small collaborative project(10-12hrs of individual contribution each) guided by an SGS appointed Faculty Member. SWARM projects shall demonstrate a focus on integrative reflective learning and result in outcomes that demonstrate clear, specific and individual learning objectives for each participant and tangible benefits or contributions to ‘Translation”.
Some projects examples include:
- Researching, developing and Implementing a Training or Knowledge-Translation workshop;
- Working with a specific Researcher on establishing some aspect of a particular Translational Project within a research lab, clinic or community context (unrelated to their TRP Capstone project); or
- Collaboratively writing or editing TR related papers around a specific theme for publication rather than credit in an existing course.
The specific nature of these mini-projects may vary, but they must reflect the mission and vision of the TRP program, clearly demonstrate a unique and valuable contribution, and demonstrate that they address specific learning gaps for participating collaborators.
Structure
Students registering in a SWARM module must submit a two-page (max) proposal to the MSC 4010Y Course Director and must receive TRP Program Committee approval before beginning. The Module proposal must outline:
- Purpose, Learning Objectives and Outcomes;
- Project goals, scope, outcomes and deliverables;
- The project team and individual roles; and
- Plan, Milestones and timeline.
The project deliverables must include an integrated reflection that will form the basis for assessing the success of the learning outcomes. Students are to document process, outcomes and reflection as part of their individual learning.
Project teams must be between 2 – 4 students. Each student must contribute no less than 10hrs to the implementation of the project. The TRP Administrator manages the enrolment and crediting for the module(s), and project oversight will be the responsibility of a TRP (or IMS) Faculty member or MSC 4010 Course Director. Generally projects should be finished with one academic term and milestones must be presented to the supervising faculty (or Course Director).
Assessment:
The SWARM is pass-fail. To pass the module, students are required to demonstrate that they implemented the proposal, achieved their goals and deliverables. The document should include:
- A summary of the project purpose, deliverables and outcomes;
- Specific roles and contributions of individual members; and
- An individual reflection about the project processes and group dynamics.
Each student must submit his or her process reflection document for review by the Course Director and is evaluated individually. If the document demonstrates integrative learning from the project based on the proposal and the deliverables, the student is to receive a module credit within MSC4010.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of a module, students must demonstrate a range of skills associated with project management, effective communications, collaboration, design thinking and reflective evaluation. Students should be able to demonstrate initiative, leadership, accountability and responsibility through the successful execution of the proposed deliverables. Upon completion students must be able to:
- Indicate an understanding of planning and executing TR related projects;
- Exhibit the ability to collaborate on TR related projects;
- Exhibit initiative, responsibility and accountability for a TR related project; and
- Display evidence of Networking and Collaborative strategies.