Synthesizing Geoscience Education Research: Where are we? What is the path forward?

Overview

This workshop will explore the current status and future directions of Geoscience Education Research (GER), with a focus on undergraduate education. It will build on recent work on Discipline-Based Education Research (Singer et al, 2012) as well as previous education and geoscience education research and synthesis efforts.

Participants in the workshop will contribute to a synthesis of the current status of GER, reviewing and critiquing draft documents that address what we know, what we don't know, and what we would like to know. Discussions will build on these documents, on information shared during afternoon poster and oral sessions, and on participant experience and expertise. In addition to discussions about the current status of GER, we will also explore how we can translate research results into practice and how we can use practitioner wisdom and experience to inform research. We may discuss GER methods, including which methods are appropriate for different types of research questions. Participants will identify immediate needs and prioritize recommendations for future research directions and ways to support such efforts. This workshop will contribute to a synthesis on GER to be published online.

Target audience

• Geoscience education researchers, discipline-based education researchers, other researchers who focus on education and learning. We are interested in participation from early career to seasoned GER professionals.
• Faculty interested in results of geoscience education research and how they might get involved in GER and/or use GER results in their teaching.
• Others interested in GER

Goals

• Explore and review what we know, what we don't know, and what we want to know about Geoscience Education Research (GER)
• Prioritize needs and directions for future GER directions and ways to support such efforts
• Provide an opportunity for participants to develop and extend professional connections

Format

This workshop will include a few presentations or panels and a variety of interactive sessions including small and large group discussions and structured work activities. It will build on information shared in the afternoon sessions as well as documents to read before the workshop, so expect to do a small amount of "homework" before the Rendezvous.

More information is available on the workshop program page