Course Description

In this course, we will look at typical assumptions about STEM education and educational research, as well as contentious issues in historic and current debates together with basic educational research designs. We will consider past trends in STEM education and social science research methodologies to understand where we are now as well as learn about current developments in the field. The course will introduce students to various approaches and discourses within the broader frame of STEM education research. We will review relevant literature and consider a variety of topics in the field; formulate possible research questions and develop initial research designs according to students’ various interests. We will also pay particular attention to research design issues, i.e. how one designs a study so that can answer particular research questions; which are the basic elements of research designs; what are the most typical methodologies and methods in education research. Accordingly, we will discuss the distinction between research designs and methods and how methods can form the basis of knowledge claims about a phenomenon of study.

List of Sessions 

Thursdays 13:45-15:15 Introduction to Research Methods in Education (CID: 531905) - Mostly in S2 059 except 11 October (BA 9907) and 23 January (K 034D)
Thursdays 15:30-17:00 Dissertation Colloquium (CID: 532900)- Mostly in S2 059 except 11 October (BA 9907) and 23 January (K 034D)

Fridays 8:30-10:00 - Advanced Research Methods in Education (CID: 531906) - Altenberger st 54 Meeting room
Fridays 10:15-11:45 Seminar for Diploma and Doctoral Students (CID: 531011) - Altenberger st 54. - Meeting Room

• 3-4 October  

• 17-18 October

• 24-25 October

• 31 October (Changed to 24-25 October, Optional session) 

• 21-22 November - Student Research Presentations, Thursday 13:45-17:00 in BA 9907

• 5-6 December

• 12-13 December

• 9-10 January

• 16-17 January - Pedagogical Innovations in STEAM Education Conference - Action Research and Academic Writing Workshops (Details TBA)

• 23-24 January - Thursday 13:45-17:00 in K 034D

Planned topics

• Introduction to the principles of education research
• Introduction to literature review, referencing, bibliographical software options
• Introduction to research questions and designs
• The aims and purposes of STEM education in schools
• Research on affective factors, believes, conceptions and motivation in STEM education
• Research on teaching STEM subjects in schools
• Research on improving assessment in schools
• Preparing your own research design

Online participation and streaming

https://appear.in/jku-stem

Slack PhD and Masters Students Channel

Please install Slack on your computer/phone and ask signing up in the PhD/Masters student channel in class

Further Information

• Introduction to STEAM Education Research Course .pdf 
• STEAM Education - Course Plans .pdf 
• Ideas for STEM Education Research Topics
• Appointment Sign-up with Zsolt