Cognitive Science 0287 - Educational Research

Many people have opinions about the best ways to improve education, yet few people have conducted research in educational settings. However, improving education requires evidence gathered systematically through research. In this course, students will learn methods for conducting research on learning and teaching that yield evidence leading to program improvements. Methodologies include classroom and field trip observations, interview, survey, pre-post assessment, and discourse analysis. Students learn these methods while collaboratively participating as part of a research team with the professor on an on-going, NSF-funded, design-based research project. We will read and discuss relevant literature on learning, design of learning experiences, and how to help more students succeed. This course is designed to teach various learning research methods and is particularly helpful for students who are in their last semester of Division II, are interested in education and wanting to start thinking about a Division III project. Field trips will be a part of the students' research and course experience. Prerequisite: Some basic statistics (t tests, descriptive statistics, etc.).

Independent Work Writing and Research Field trips will be a part of the students' research/course experience. Trips will be free or less than $10. Workload Expectation: In this course, you are expected to spend at least six to eight hours a week outside of class time preparing for class. This time includes reading, writing, research, Moodle activities, learning observations, and group activities, as necessary.