MSc in Educational Sciences: Learning in Interaction

How do students learn in schools? What role do individual differences play in learning? How can you improve learning environments to optimally help students learn and develop?

Common to all processes referred to in the questions above, is that they take place while and because we interact. Interaction is the motor of learning and development, and therefore key to improving education.

While we all can recognize these interactions, in this master’s track you will learn to take a scientific, evidence-based approach to better examine these day-to-day interactions. This master zooms in on the complex processes through which we learn academic subjects, develop cognitive and meta-cognitive skills, and acquire social competencies.

Different theoretical perspectives and didactic approaches come together in this master’s track. You will understand learning processes in context, and be capable to examine the challenges that arise in optimizing learning environments to learners' needs.

Why study this program in Groningen?

• Revolves around learning processes
• Current research meets education and practice
• Close collaboration with staff in their research project
• One-year internationally oriented master

Research

Our research is conducted within the Groningen Institute for Educational Research (GION), which allows for smooth connections between the research we do and the courses we teach. This means that your research project (Master's thesis) will be supervised by active researchers in the field and that your project will be closely connected to a larger research initiative.

The track is designed to provide you with a blend of skills, theoretical background, and practical experience required to understand learning processes and to (re)design learning environments.

Courses cover diverse evidence-based perspectives on learning processes and key characteristics of learners and context. This will enable you to apply design principles for optimal learning environments. In your research project (research proposal and thesis) you will work in small groups, guided by a staff member. Your research will be embedded in the research currently conducted by our researchers, so you can profit from our updated expertise and academic experience.

Connecting your academic training to practice is the focus of the internship. Here you will work within an organization (a school, university, publisher of educational materials, etc.) in trying to address a real issue where your expertise as an educational scientist is needed.

Courses

• Methods and Techniques for Evaluation Research (5 EC)*
• Learning in Human Interaction (5 EC)
• Internship (5 or 10 EC)*
• *Master thesis (25 EC)*
• Learning in Interaction with Artefacts (5 EC)
• (If 5 EC Internship is chosen): Educational Organization & Management (5 EC)
• Student Diversity in the (Inclusive) Classroom (5 EC)
• Reflection in & on Learning (5 EC)

Courses marked * are general courses

Study abroad

• Study abroad is optional

Consult about the possibilities with the program coordinator.

Job examples

• Educational consultant
  in all sectors of public and private education, as well as in public and private training.
• Developer of educational materials
  for any level of education, from primary- to higher education.