finding research question

Finding a research question…

Christian SpannagelUniversity of Education Heidelberg

spannagel@ph-heidelberg.dehttp://cspannagel.wordpress.com

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Wrong way

data question??

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Better

question data answermethod analysis????

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Finding a research question…

question theme

personalinterests andexperiences

literatureand

theory

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Example 1: Paul

Paul

interests experiences

context

teachingalgebra

teachingmethods

calculating with fractionsis difficult

Individual differencesare challenging

geometry

teacher secondary school

How can students be supported learning to calculcate with fractions?

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Example 1: Paul

How can students be supported learning to calculcate with fractions?

Literature review

Visual / verballearners?

Using enactive models?

Worked examples?

Can visual learners be supported by images of fractions?

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Example 1: Paul

How can students be supported learning to calculcate with fractions?

Can visual learners be supported by images of fractions?

Theme: Learning how to calculate with fractions – Visual support for visual learners

Method: Experiment

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Example 2: Anne

Anne

interests experiences

context

computer

biology

teachers do notcooperate in her school

Students and productiveuse of computers

statistics

teacher 30 new laptops in herschool

How can laptops be established in her school?… for mathematics? … and biology?

How can laptops be established in her school,especially for interdisciplinary projects?

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Example 2: Anne

Literature review

Computers inschools…

Interdisciplinarylearning

statisticseducation

How can laptops be established in her school,especially for interdisciplinary projects?

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Example 2: Anne

Theme: Interdisciplinary projects with computers in aMozambican secondary school – an action research project

Developing and testing conceptMethods: Questionnaires for

- students- teachers

How can laptops be established in her school,especially for interdisciplinary projects?

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Finding a research question…

Personal interests

Literaturereview

ResearchQuestion

Two parallel ideas?

Throwing an idea away, beginning from scratch…

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And now…

interests experiences

context

Research Question (first idea)