Learning in computer science: assessment and evaluation of undergraduate research experience

Undergraduate research experience is widely viewed as an essential component of good teaching and effective learning. This paper presents our experience with undergraduate research at the University of West Georgia as it enhanced student learning in the relevant areas of computer science. A number of undergraduate students were involved in various research projects related to natural language processing. Some of the students were enrolled in a newly designed faculty directed research course to earn credit while others were involved in funded research projects without enrolling in any research credit, yet there were others who participated in the research on a voluntary basis. In all cases we observed that their involvement in research enhanced their learning not only in the areas of artificial intelligence but in many other related areas of computer science. We have found that the longer a student is involved in research the better he or she is prepared for graduate school or a professional career