Learning Sciences Research Institute (LSRI)

PhD Studentships 2008

The LSRI is a centre of excellence for research in the learning sciences and in technology enhanced learning. Research at the Institute explores the fundamental processes and practices of learning, and how to design new technologies and environments to enhance human learning.

The LSRI brings together staff from the Schools of Education, Psychology and Computer Science, as well as expertise from other disciplines. PhDs will normally be jointly supervised between two of these three Schools.

The LSRI will be offering a number of Research Studentships for 2008/09. PhD applications should address:

  1. A topic of your choice in any area of the learning sciences including: playful and game-based learning; learning cultures and contexts, visual thinking and learning; collaborative learning; mobile and informal learning; analysis of classroom interaction; mixed-reality learning technology. Students are invited to send full research proposals outlining their research plans related to these areas.

Or

  1. One of the key research questions being prioritised in 2008/09, under the following indicative headings:
    • Mobile learning ( Supervisors : Sharples, Pemberton)
      • How can we design effective methods and technologies for mobile context-based social learning?
      • How can mobile technologies improve second language learning?
    • Visual Learning ( Supervisors: Ainsworth, Coyle, Crook)
      • How do we learn by drawing?
      • How can visual representations support different kinds of learning?
      • How to best integrate talk and image during teaching?
      • What are the best representations to teach evolution?
    • Internet-based Learning ( Supervisors: Harrison, Crook)
      • What are the best tools and strategies for supporting effective internet research by school students?

If interested in one of these questions, please outline in your research proposal why you are interested in this question, and how you would propose to carry out the research. Students are particularly encouraged to contact one of the named supervisors directly.

Students should hold, or expect to obtain, at least a 2.1 in an undergraduate degree or Masters degree in psychology, computer science, education or aligned discipline.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to: lsri-enquiries@Nottingham.ac.uk .

Further information about the LSRI, potential supervisors and application forms is available at: http://www.lsri.nottingham.ac.uk/phd.php# or you can apply online at: https://pgapps.nottingham.ac.uk/ . Students must submit a completed application form , together with an outline of their research proposal , transcripts, certificates and two supportive academic references.

PhD applications are welcome throughout the year, but please note that the closing date for these studentships is 28 February 2008 .