Author(s):
The Vision & Change (V&C) movement in undergraduate biology education has motivated and guided instructors for over a decade. While many components of V&C have been well researched (such as undergraduate research experiences and active learning), the movement as a whole has proven challenging to evaluate. We hypothesized that this difficulty stems from the variable nature of V&C implementation across contexts as well as the movement’s evolving definition and boundaries. To address this gap, the Paths to Change project investigated V&C’s theory of change by leveraging an evaluation approach known as pathway modeling. This process involves observing, defining, and representing what is known about the V&C in a visual format and then validating the model through reviewing the literature and holding focus groups with key stakeholders. The resulting products – a pathway model of V&C along with the Paths to Change report– highlight key outcomes of the movement and recommendations for future evaluation. Findings underscore the effectiveness of the pedagogical focus and individual strategies in V&C, while emphasizing the need for greater attention to student-instructor relationships, diversity and equity, as well as institutional support. By providing a clear roadmap for development and evaluation, the Paths to Change project enhances the potential impact of the V&C movement and contributes to advancements in undergraduate STEM education.
