Systematic observation in educational research (DUH135)

Content

The course consists of three parts:

1. Voluntary participation in a two-day European workshop on systematic observation. At the workshop the participants will meet updated knowledge on systematic observation in educational research from international researchers in the field and take part of discussions and seminars. For participants attending the workshop, it is possible to present their own ongoing work. Participation and travel expenses will be at their own cost.

2. Four days with lectures and seminars going into depth of themes relevant for systematic observation. These will be held at campus or digital. The two first days are held before the European workshop and the last two days will be held after (see specific dates).

3. In addition, a reading component is included containing key literature in the field that prepare participants for the workshop and the required documentation.

The two-day European workshop will contain keynote speakers and presentations from researchers concerned with the use of systematic observation in kindergarten through high school.

During the four days, there will be lectures introducing participants to systematic observation. The lectures will also address methodological aspects (both quantitative and qualitative) of systematic observation (e.g. validity, reliability, and combination with different data sources). Additional, seminars will provide opportunities for participants to put questions related to their own work up for discussion.

Required documentation for participants is a manuscript for an oral presentation in the seminar part of the course or at the European workshop, or an individual paper on a topic relevant for systematic observation in educational research.

Learning outcome

By completion of this course, the PhD candidate will:

• • Have a deeper understanding of the issues surrounding systematic classroom observation
  • Have knowledge of research design in observational studies
  • Have knowledge of classroom research and the combination of observational data with other data sources
  • Have knowledge of Classroom assessment scoring system (CLASS) and similar research protocols

By completion of this course, the PhD candidate will have gained the following skills:

• • Design systematic observational studies
  • Consider aspects of validity and reliability of systematic observation studies
  • Consider weaknesses and strengths of systematic observation studies
  • Critically evaluate aspects of classroom observation studies and apply observational research design to their own research

By completion of this course, the PhD candidate will have gained the following general competencies:

• • Knowledge on research approaches to classroom interaction processes and their impact on students’ learning outcomes
  • Knowledge on systematic classroom observation
  • Knowledge on theoretical and methodological variety in systematic classroom (observation) research

Required prerequisite knowledge

Recommended prerequisites

Exam

Coursework requirements

Participation at least 80 % is mandatory for participants in the PhD-course.

Course teacher(s)

Course coordinator:

Course teacher:

Course teacher:

Study Program Director:

Method of work

The course will consist of lectures and seminars. The seminar part welcomes different types of discussions based on participant’s ongoing work.

Language: English

Open for

Course assessment

Literature