EPN-V2

PHUV9460 Educational science, politics and digital technology in the knowledge age Course description

Course name in Norwegian
Utdanningsvitenskap, politikk og digitale teknologier i kunnskapsalderen
Study programme
PhD Programme in Educational Sciences for Teacher Education
Weight
5.0 ECTS
Year of study
2023/2024
Curriculum
SPRING 2024
Schedule
Course history

Introduction

The 30 ECTs thesis will consist of a condensed research project where focus is on identifying and investigating a problem or challenge in the specialization area and to display good scientific craftsmanship in the pursuit of an answer. Throughout the semester, a thesis is written which will be submitted at the end for assessment.

In addition to the project work, there will be a series of online, asynchronous classes during which students will be provided with a range of analytical tools and methods to help develop their writing skills. Students will also receive formative feedback on draft versions of their texts from the course instructor and their peers, with a focus on the final thesis.

Learning outcomes

The following required coursework must be approved before the student can take the exam:

  1. A first draft of the Introduction and Background chapters of the thesis, including an asessment of any relevant potential ethical considerations
  2. a peer review of another students draft text
  3. A second draft of the masters thesis
  4. a Process Memo (reflection on the feedback received from the thesis supervisor(s)).

Content

In the Education Policy program, students will consider how laws and policies impact the reform of educational systems and how they support or impede improvements in curriculum, teaching, and student achievement. Furthermore, students will analyse the political, social, economic and legal dynamics that affect policy development and implementation.

Teaching and learning methods

The thesis project consists of the following:

  • A written Master thesis (Length: 15,000-30000 words, using one of the available document templates)
  • Individual oral presentation (30 minutes)
  • Submission of an artefact (either physical or digital) as part of the thesis is optional. Any artefact that has been developed by the student as part of the research project must be approved by the supervisor, the Master Thesis Coordinator must be informed, and the artefact must be made available in such a way to be inspected by the examiners. In the case of a physical artefact, video and images may be used to document its properties, eliminating the need for a physical inspection.

The master's thesis is assessed on the basis of the following criteria:

  • the originality and / or relevance of the issues or research questions to the field of study
  • clarity in the development of issues or research questions being addressed
  • documentation and use of relevant theory and research, as well as systematic use of sources
  • clarity in the relationship between issues / research questions being addressed, the method choices / methodologies employed and the resulting discussions / conclusions
  • ability to collect, systematize, interpret / deconstruct and present knowledge in a clear way
  • reflection on ethical issues in the research process
  • written presentation (clear table of contents, accurate literature references, bibliography and appendices).

Theses are written in Norwegian or English. The oral exam can be taken in Norwegian or English, regardless of which language the thesis was written in.

The written thesis must be awarded a grade of A-E (preliminary grade) in order for a student to take the oral exam. The final grade is set after the oral exam. The grade can be adjusted up or down by one grade based on the oral exam. All exams must be passed in order to pass the course.

Students can appeal against the grade set for the written part of the exam. If the grade is changed after an appeal against the grade, and the oral exam has already been held, the oral exam must be retaken.

New/postponed exam

In case of failed exam or legal absence, the student may apply for a new or postponed exam. New or postponed exams are offered within a reasonable time span following the regular exam. The student is responsible for applying for a new/postponed exam within the time limits set by OsloMet. The Regulations for new or postponed examinations are available in Regulations relating to studies and examinations at OsloMet.

Course requirements

All aids are permitted, provided the rules for plagiarism and source referencing are complied with.

Assessment

Grade Scale A-F.

Permitted exam materials and equipment

All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with.

Grading scale

Two external examiners will be used for the assessment.

Examiners

Assistant professor Safiqul Islam

Admission requirements

The academic writing workshops will cover topics such as

  • Variations in academic style
  • Audience, purpose and style
  • The writing process
  • Disciplinary identity
  • Academic language
  • Vocabulary, grammar, sentence, paragraph and text
  • Coherence and cohesion
  • Directness and formality
  • Avoiding common errors: e.g. digression, lack of thesis statement, misunderstanding one’s audience
  • Analysing, discussing and responding to academic texts
  • Article structures, including IMRAD