EXPERIMENTAL PEDAGOGICAL STUDIES (unit B)
Learning outcomes of the course unit
This module offers epistemological, methodological and procedural knowledge relating to undertaking empirical and experimental educational research. This will allow students to: a) read articles and research contributions relating to education in a critical manner and to evaluate their possible use when making decisions; b) project, in a simulated situation, simple paths in empirical investigation; c) carry out simple data analysis using computer software. To that effect, some empirical and experimental research in different educational contexts will be analysed.
Prerequisites
In order to be able to sit the exam, it is necessary to have passed the Module A exam in Experimental Education Teaching.
Course contents summary
1. Projecting and planning of empirical research in education
2. Data survey techniques and tools: the questionnaire and interview
3. Data collection
4. Codifying and collecting data
5. Evaluation of results.
Recommended readings
The following texts are obligatory:
1. P. Lucisano, A. Salerni, Metodologia della ricerca in educazione e formazione, Carocci, Roma 2004 [Chapters 3-5].
2. V. L. Zammuner, Tecniche dell'intervista e del questionario, Il Mulino, Bologna 1998.
3. M. Middleton, Analisi statistica con Excel, Apogeo, Milano 2004 [Chapters 1-6].
4. Lecture material
Teaching methods
The course will take an active form (interactive lessons, mini case studies, analysis of authentic documents, micro-simulations) and will continually make the most of the direct experiences of the participants and the interaction between the students. Classroom activities will be accompanied by the use of authentic materials and computer presentations. The learning process will be closely monitored during classroom activities through feedback.
The exam will take place in two phases: 1) the first is a written exam which requires students to identify the different aspects of empirical research (duration one and a half hours); 2) the second will be an oral discussion on the outcome of the written exam which students must illustrate and justify based on the texts studied during the course (duration twenty minutes).
