Trends within Mathematical Educational Research - Methods and Themes in a Norwegian, Nordic and International perspectiv

Lectures will be given only if there are enough students. Research in mathematics education is a relatively new field of research. The research methods that are used build upon research traditions from psycology, pedagogy, social antopology and socilogy. Throughout the course the students will be introduced to research methods that involves design of interviews, surveys and questionnaires.
These exercises and knowledge about different research methods from earlier courses will be used to analyze the research articles that are part of the litterature for the course. The students will go through a small research project where they use some of these methods. The students shall describe and explain the methods, and discuss strengths and weaknesses in theyr own project and articles they have read. The students project will be connected to the work with their own theses.

1. Knowledge
Throughout the course the students will be introduced to research methods that involves design of interviews, surveys and questionnaires. These methods are used build upon research traditions from psychology, pedagogy, social anthropology and sociology. These exercises and knowledge about different research methods from earlier courses will be used to analyze the research articles that are part of the literature for the course. The students will go through a small research project where they use some of these methods. The students shall describe and explain the methods, and discuss strengths and weaknesses in they own project and articles they have read. The students project will be connected to the work with their own theses.

2. Skills
The students should learn the theoretical foundations in mathematical didactic as well as technical skills of designing and conducting of interviews, surveys and questionnaires.

3. Competence.
The students should be able to use methods of mathematical didactic in researches and practical activities related to making programs and preparing high quality school teachers in Mathematics.

Lectures may be given in concentrated periods of the semester, with whole or half-day seminars. Public, oral exam based on a paper or speech.