Developing and stimulating competencies: Methodological challenges and opportunities for research

In recent years, we have observed a number of evolutions in the way in which problem-solving processes, learning activities, and acquired competences are studied. These provide new opportunities for the research field, but also pose important methodological challenges.. A first evolution is that the focus of research is expanded: we do research also on non-cognitive variables (e.g. affective variables, spontaneous attention processes) that are inherently part of the competence, and this happens with a broader target group (both charting the skills of learners before formal instruction, of experts in a specific field, and of people in daily practice). Secondly, more attention is paid to longitudinal studies (and the long-term impact of interventions), and to other ways of collecting data (e.g. via large-scale crowdsourcing platforms, and via larger groups of researchers). Third, more "online" measurements are taken during the learning and problem solving processes, such as eye tracking data (both on a computer screen and in a complex classroom setting), finger tracking at touch screens, the use of reaction time data, neuro and other physiological measures (skin conduction, heart rate, ...). Here we see a shift from obtrusive to unobtrusive measurements (such as log data of activities in a digital learning environment). Multimodal research approaches are becoming more and more relevant to measure certain concepts that are often difficult to observe directly in the educational process (e.g. engagement, self- regulation ...). Combining several of the aforementioned data streams offers new insights. Important evolutions also occur in the more qualitatively oriented design research. Rather than working purely descriptively, we will try, e.g. through conjecture mapping, to systematically validate instructions for designing learning environments.

Keywords:COMPETENCE, DEVELOPMENT

Disciplines:Instructional psychology and instructional design

Project type:Collaboration project