PhD defence by Jesper Bruun

The Department of Science Education announces the public defence of the Phd dissertation "Networks in Physics Education Research: A Theoretical, Methodological, and Didactical Explorative Study" by Jesper Bruun

Supervisors from University of Copenhagen: Head of department Jens Dolin, Department of Science Education and Professor Kim Sneppen, Niels Bohr Institute

The defence is followed by a reception hosted by the department. Please contact study secretary Nadja Nordmaj if any questions regarding the defence.

Assessment committee

  • Associate professor Camilla Rump (Chair), Department of Science Education
  • University Lecturer Ismo Koponen, Physics Teacher Education, Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Finland
  • Professor Cedric Linder, Department of Physics, and Astronomy, Division for physics education research, The Ångström Labarotory, Uppsala University

Abstract

One of the central problems in physics education research is to understand, describe, and design processes which allow students to learn physics. Quantitative descriptions of learning processes may support understanding and designing teaching and learning in physics education. However, in order to interpret and use quantitative descriptions, they need to be continuously developed in dialogue with qualitative descriptions to produce meaningful explanations. In this project, networks are explored as a way of providing quantitative descriptions which can be used in this manner. In particular, this project explores how the physics of networks and social network analysis can be integrated with cognitive and social constructivist learning perspectives to investigate learning in physics.

The problem is formulated in terms of a theoretical, a measurement, and a didactical question, and these questions serve as the themes explored throughout the thesis. On the level of theory, cognitive and socio-cultural learning theories are combined with theories of networks to produce a blended understanding of how learning in physics can be construed in terms of networks. On the level of measurement, the thesis develops and test methods for collecting quantitative network data informing and informed by qualitative data. Finally, on the level of didactics, this dissertation shows that networks can capture different elements of learning and learning processes, which can inform both research and teaching practices.

Full text of dissertation

A pdf-version of the thesis accepted for defence can be downloaded through the following link