Learning and Assessment

The research group conduct studies on the topics of learning and assessment in education. Research studies have been conducted through a collaboration between various departments at Volda University College, in addition to collaboration with national and international researchers. An important purpose of this interdisciplinary research group is to strengthen knowledge about learning processes and assessment actions in educational research at all levels.

Activities

The group meets every month, in addition to more frequent meetings for the specific research projects. Members of the group are active in both research and development work regarding education and school development projects. Several research articles are published by members of the group, in addition to holding presentations at conferences, and submitting articles for peer review process. The research group also participates annually in an international workshop; "Systematic observation in educational research". This workshop is arranged as a meeting point for researchers using Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) in the Nordic countries and in Europe. In the autumn of 2022, members of our research group arranged the annual gathering. The seminar was arranged as a webinar [due to Covid], with keynote speakers from the USA and Finland.

Project

The research group conducts studies on assessment, feedback, and learning processes in primary school, secondary school, and teacher education. A variety of methods are used in our studies with qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Members of the research group is currently working on various research and development projects, for example:

"Artificial Intelligence for Assessment for Learning" (AI4AfL). This is a project with a grant from the Research Council of Norway (2022-2015). It is a collaborative project between Østfold University College, Volda University College, Halden Municipality and Hypatia Learning AS. In this project, we study artificial intelligence for assessment for learning as a starting point for strengthening learning and teaching in lower secondary school.

“Feedback for learning in beginner education”. This is a sub research project derived from DigiHand, a research project which received funding from the Research Council of Norway (2018-2022).

“Assessment experiences in Higher Education”. This is a newly started research project with an aim to get more knowledge of assessment in Teacher Education, in addition to student teachers’ and teacher educators’ perceptions and experiences of assessment.

“Adapted Feedback for Active Student Learning”. This is a newly started research project in collaboration with researchers from University of Oslo and University of Melbourne. An aim is to get more knowledge of feedback that enhances student learning.

“Assessments and creative wellbeing in school: Teacher students’ perceptions”. This study examines a selection of primary school teacher students’ perceptions and experiences of how creativity and assessment for well-being can promote learning in school. 

Some former research projects:

"Digital learning and assessment in upper secondary school". In this project we study students' and teachers' experiences of learning and assessment in a digital context.

"Responsive pedagogy". In this project we study how feedback interactions can strengthen students' self-efficacy, self-regulated learning, and feedback literacy.

Research group members

Professor Siv M. Gamlem, (leader)
Assistant Professor Lina R. Kobberstad 
Associate Professor Synnøve H. Moltudal 
Assistant Professor Hilde Gry Leer-Salvesen 
Lecturer Marianne Hustvedt
Professor Wenke M. Rogne 
Associate Professor Pernille Fiskerstrand
Assistant Professor Marit Brekke
Associate Professor Elaheh Tavakoli
PhD Candidate Tara Sapkota 
PhD Candidate Ine Skorbakk
PhD Candidate / Assistant Professor Joakim Erik Gustav Olsson