PHUV9360 Aksjonsforskning Emneplan

Approved by the Doctoral Committee 24 May 2018. Minor changes approved 27.04.2020.

This PhD course is open for candidates at the PhD Program in Educational Sciences for Teacher Education, other PhD candidates and academic employees.

Language: English (and Norwegian, dependent on the language of participants).

In this PhD course, epistemological, methodological, and ethical perspectives on action research will be presented, discussed and related to examples of research projects. Reflections on connections between epistemological conceptual frameworks and practical choices in educational action research are emphasized.

On completion of the course, the candidate will have achieved the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

The candidate

• has in-depth knowledge of epistemological and methodological perspectives on Action Research projects
• has in-depth knowledge of the role of the researcher in action research projects

Skills

The candidate:

• has gained methodological competence in understanding and engaging in Action Research at a sufficiently high level to develop knowledge in his/her field of study.
• can give academically competent written presentations of a relevant topic within action research

General competence

The candidate:

• can identify and establish constructive connections between theories, empirical data, and practices based on developed methodological competence in Action Research
• has sufficient ethical competence to identify relevant ethical challenges in his/her research process.

Organised tuition is given in the form of lectures and seminars. Candidates are expected to actively participate in all the teaching activities. Candidates will receive academic supervision on writing essays.

To apply for this course you need:

• Higher Education Entrance Qualification
• Relevant work experience of a minimum of two years. Relevant work experience can be experience in; change on a systemic level, services, products, organizational development or sustainable processes.
• CV
• A letter that outlines your motivation for applying for the course, and how you think this might benefit your professional practice.

After completion of the course, the students will have acquired the following learning outcomes, defined as knowledge, skills and general competence.

Knowledge

• has in-depth knowledge of how policies impact the reform of educational systems and how they support or impede improvements in curriculum, teaching, and student achievement.
• has in-depth knowledge about analysing the social dimensions of science and digital technologies in the educational field in both curriculum, teaching, and student achievement.

Skills

• Is able to analyse the political, social, economic and legal dynamics that affect policy development and implementation in the educational field.
• Is able to analyse and critically evaluate the development and implementation of digital technologies in education.
• Is able to analyse and critically evaluate the scientific and political bases for the introduction of digital technologies in education.
• Can integrate STS methodologies into own research projects.

General competence

• Can identify how public policy decision-making related to digital technologies in education at local, state, and national levels have an impact on education institutions, students, and the public.
• Can develop nuanced readings and critiques of current STS literature
• Can integrate STS methodologies and perspectives into the candidate’s own research projects.

The first part of the course is a seminar given over two non- consecutive days so that the participants have a chance to apply and reflect on the concepts. The working methods include lectures, discussions, practical workshops, as well as student presentations. Candidates are expected to actively participate in all the teaching activities, including presenting their project.

The second part of the course is related to the written paper and includes supervision two to four weeks after the seminar.

Preparations for the course

The essay will be assessed by the course coordinator and a member of the academic staff involved in the PhD program.