Welcome to our official launch of Experimental Research Explained!

I’ve teamed up with Nate Hansford from Pedagogy Non Grata to create a course  designed to demystify experimental research in education. We are thrilled to release this course, as it addresses a pressing need in the education community. Many educators have expressed their struggles with understanding and interpreting research, leading to a lack of informed decision-making in the classroom. In this blog post, we will explore the importance of research literacy for teachers and introduce our comprehensive course that aims to equip educators with the skills to read and interpret research effectively.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF RESEARCH LITERACY FOR EDUCATORS

As educators, we understand the challenges of navigating the ever-evolving landscape of educational practices. The topic of reading instruction, in particular, has witnessed intense debates and shifts in teaching methodologies, often driven by misunderstandings or misinterpretations of research. While the science of reading has made significant strides in adopting evidence-based approaches, the root cause of the past reading wars and the rise of conflicting instructional methods lies in the lack of understanding the research on literacy among educators.

Formal teacher education programs rarely offer explicit training on how to read and interpret research. As experienced educators ourselves, we acknowledge that learning how to read research is a skill that develops over time, often through self-guided learning after completing formal education. To foster a more informed educational community and to prevent the recurrence of misguided fads, we believe it is essential for teachers to become literate in research methods and data interpretation.

THE JOURNEY TO RESEARCH LITERACY

In Nate’s pursuit of promoting research literacy, he gave a webinar on how to read experimental research. He realized this topic was too big to cover during a single webinar. Listening to feedback from participants, he realized the need for a more comprehensive and accessible approach to learning how to read experimental research. This led to the development of our accredited course Experimental Research Explained. It is designed to be systematic, explicit, and self-paced, providing educators with the tools they need to understand and assess experimental research critically.

COURSE OVERVIEW: EMPOWERING EDUCATORS WITH RESEARCH LITERACY

Experimental Research Explained comprises six modules with a total of 40 lessons. These lessons are designed to be manageable, ranging from 10 to 20 minutes each, allowing participants to progress at their preferred pace. The course structure ensures that educators gain a comprehensive understanding of research reading, from fundamental concepts to statistical analysis.

MODULE 1: INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH

The course begins by laying the groundwork, exploring the importance of research, the various types of research, and an overview of different publications and databases. Understanding the basics is crucial for educators to make informed choices when examining research articles.

 

MODULE 2: EXAMINING RESEARCH ARTICLES

In this module, we delve into the structure of research articles and guide participants through the key components of an academic paper. We focus on the introduction, study design and methodology, results, and discussion sections, emphasizing what to look for and be cautious about.

 

MODULE 3: TYPES OF STUDIES

Here, we discuss different types of studies, exploring the information that can be gleaned from each one. Educators will gain valuable insights into understanding research findings and their implications.

 

MODULE 4: UNDERSTANDING STATISTICS

While we are not turning participants into statisticians, this module helps them grasp the significance of statistical analysis in research. We explain how to interpret statistics and assess their relationship with reported results.

 

MODULE 5: EFFECT SIZES

Effect sizes play a critical role in evaluating the impact of research findings. In this module, participants will gain a deep understanding of effect sizes and their relevance in informing instructional practices.

 

MODULE 6: APPLYING RESEARCH TO PRACTICE

The final module focuses on bridging the gap between research and classroom practice. Educators will learn how to use research findings to inform their teaching decisions, understanding the importance of adapting research to their specific contexts.

 

MICRO CREDENTIALS FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

We are excited to partner with Credentials Unlimited, offering participants the opportunity to earn micro credentials for completing Experimental Research Explained. The micro credentials include a transcript and a special badge, providing evidence of research literacy and professional development.

 

With the Research Explained Course, our mission is to equip educators with the necessary skills to navigate the complex world of experimental educational research effectively. Understanding research methodologies, interpreting data, and applying findings in the classroom are crucial for making evidence-based decisions and advancing student learning. We encourage all educators to take this valuable course to enhance their research literacy and contribute to a more informed and evidence-driven educational community.

Join us on this journey of empowering educators and fostering effective, evidence-based teaching practices.