Learning and Assessment

The members of the research group "Learning and Assessment" work on research studies within the themes of learning and assessment in educational research. The research is based on various methodological and contextual approaches to study learning and assessment in primary school, secondary school, and higher education. The group collaborates across faculty members from different departments and divisions at Volda University College (HVO), in addition to cooperation with national and international research environments. An important aim of this interdisciplinary research group is to enhance knowledge about learning processes and assessment actions in various educational contexts and school subjects.

Activities

The research group has regular monthly meetings. In addition, the group has various subgroups that conduct research projects with their own meeting points. The members are active in both research and development projects. The research is anchored in qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches, and includes both theoretical and empirical studies. Annually, the members are invited to an international workshop seminar, "Systematic Observation in Educational Research," organized together with researchers from all over Europe. In the autumn of 2022, the group members organized the annual gathering, with participants from eight countries. The gathering was digital and included guest lecturers from the USA and Finland. In recent years, several research articles by the members have been published, and several articles are under peer review.

Project

The research group conducts studies on assessment, feedback, and learning processes in primary school, secondary school, and teacher education. In addition, the group has several PhD candidates working on various projects related to themes such as assessment, learning dialogue, critical thinking, and professional development. In research projects, qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research are used. Methods employed include, among others, questionnaires, interviews, think-aloud protocols, and video observations. Several of the projects are based on classroom research. Some ongoing projects in the research group are:

Artificial Intelligence for Assessment for Learning (AI4AfL). This is a project funded by the Research Council of Norway. It is a collaborative project between Østfold University College, Volda University College, Halden Municipality, and Hypatia Learning AS. In the project, we study assessment for learning using artificial intelligence as a basis to enhance learning and teaching in lower secondary school.

Experiences with assessment and feedback in higher education. This research project aims to gain more knowledge about teacher students' and teacher educators' experiences and perceptions of assessment in primary teacher education programs.

Teacher students' and teacher educators' experiences and understanding of artificial intelligence in teaching and learning. This research project aims to gain more insight into students' and primary school teachers' experiences and perceptions of artificial intelligence in education. The project is conducted in collaboration with researchers at the University of Melbourne and the University of Oslo.

Digital assessment and approaches to learning in secondary school. In this project, we study vocational students' experiences with assessment in a digital context, and their approaches to learning. The research project is a collaboration with a researcher from Duquesne University, USA.

Research group members

Professor Siv M. Gamlem, (leader)
Professor Siv M. Gamlem, pedagogy (leader)
Associate Professor Synnøve H. Moltudal, pedagogy, computer & Science  
Assistant Professor Lina R. Kobberstad, pedagogy
Assistant Professor Hilde Gry Leer-Salvesen, pedagogy 
Associate Professor Elaheh Tavakoli, English didactics
Professor Wenke M. Rogne, Norwegian didactics 
Associate Professor Pernille Fiskerstrand, Norwegian didactics
Associate Professor Liv Kristin Bjørlykke Øvereng, Norwegian language / pedagogy
PhD Candidate Tara Sapkota, pedagogy 
PhD Candidate Ine Skorbakk, Mathematics
PhD Candidate / Assistant Professor Joakim Erik Gustav Olsson, Computer & Science
PhD Candidate / Assistant Professor Marianne Hustvedt, religion, pedagogy
PhD Candidate Rebecca Barreng, didactics