Rune Johan Krumsvik

Subproject 1: Empirical testing of a theoretical model of digital competence

Abstract

The purpose of this subproject is to examine if a digital competence model can be empirical tested in upper secondary school. Norway implemented in 2006 a new national curriculum which increased the status of digital competence to be the fifth basic skill in the Norwegian elementary school (stage 1-13). This was a historic event and never before has digital competence achieved such status in curricula, neither nationally nor internationally. The same has newly happened with the new General Plan for Teacher Education where digital competence has become the fifth basic skill in all subjects. However, both teacher educators and teachers lack sufficient digital competence to fulfil these ambiguous policy goals and therefore the subproject suggest how a model of digital competence can bridge some of the gap between the intentions in the policy documents and the teachers practise. At the same time the subproject attempts to empirical test if this digital competence model is valid among teachers in upper secondary school in light of a the national curriculum (LK06). The research question in this article is: Is a model of digital competence empirically valid and if so, how can digital competence be defined for teachers in school?

Subproject 2: Class management in digital classrooms

Abstract

This subproject focuses on what kind of new class management strategies teachers need to develop in light of the large scale implementation of ICT in Norwegian classrooms. This has become more pressing as a result of the new educational reform, Knowledge Promotion (KD, 2006) where digital skills is now the fifth basic competence in all subjects at all levels (stage 1-13, 6-19 years). Consequently, Norwegian schools are infiltrated with new technology, and obligatory ICT in all subjects is in many ways making it a time of upheaval for the traditional way of teaching and class management. The introduction of this national curriculum and one pupil pr. laptop creates a situation where the pedagogical and didactical conditions in Norwegian classrooms have changed considerably. Thus we need to carry out research within the area of class management and ICT, and the presented subproject focuses on this issue.

Subproject 3: Multimodality, Video papers and learning outcome

Abstract

This subproject is focusing on a multimodal learning resource, Video papers, and learning outcome in teacher education. The concept multimodality has strongly influenced the development of the digital competence in the last decade and has been an important underpinning for both this concept and ICT in general. However, from a critical point of view one could ask why Norway is the first nation in the world to define digital competence as the fifth basic competence in its national curriculum and General Plan for Teacher Education? Is this action based on solid research findings or on politicians' eagerness for innovations in our educational system? How do these actions influence the epistemological and ontological cornerstones in school and teacher education? Is this another ‘technology hype’ and is it necessary in our digitised society? These questions are worth considering as a baseline for this subproject, because we still are in the infancy of this digitisation of school and teacher education. In many ways this new pedagogical terrain generates more questions than answers. This is partly because the area is new, we have too little longitudinal research to rely on and therefore we need more knowledge about this area to make solid and research-based recommendations. With this reservation in mind, the aim of the subproject is to study if, and eventually how multimodality and video papers in teacher education can enhance learning outcome for the students. The research question is: Can Video papers enhance teacher students understanding of theory-practise relationship and how do teacher students experience this kind of multimodal teaching tool?

Subproject 4: Formative e-assessment and learning outcome

Abstract

https://www.cristin.no/app/projects/show.jsf?id=516274

Based on the criticism from both the evaluation of Norwegian pedagogy (NFR 2004/2006) and the Norwegian student organisations, this study focuses on if, and eventually how, feedback clickers (TurningPoint®) can be used to overcome some of the challenges lecturers have in large plenary lectures. The Bologna-process, new standards for national curricula, increasing diversity among university students and the digital revolution have changed some of the underlying premises for teaching and learning in today’s universities. New policy documents, research and experiences from the university field suggest that there is a potential to develop plenary lectures in light of new technology and more updated teaching methods. The new concept of digital didactics is underpinning this time of upheaval, and this subproject focuses on how bachelor students experience the use of innovative technology through feedback clickers in formative e-assessment. International research within the area shows that new technology like feedback clickers can, under well planned didactical circumstances, have the potential to enhance interactivity, attention and reflection, as well as provide feedback and formative assessment, which are the ground pillars of the Quality Reform in Norway.