Incorporating research into undergraduate paleontology courses, or, a tale of 23,276 mulinia

Research-led, research-oriented, and research-based teaching incorporate research into teaching to different degrees.

Research-led teaching focuses on content and informs students about current research findings.

Research-oriented teaching focuses on techniques and often occurs in research methods courses.

In research-based teaching, students participate in research.

Through this involvement, they benefit from improved content knowledge, research skills, and life skills, as well as enhanced personal development.

Research-embedded courses can make such benefits available to a wide range of students.

Best practices in experiential learning and the incorporation of research in teaching include intentionality, planning, authenticity, reflection, training, monitoring, assessment, and acknowledgment.

These principles of best practice are illustrated by courses with embedded student research.