ULearn - Understanding learning variability, support, and change
Table of contents
Project description
Challenges to learning in the modern world include increasing variation in learning outcomes due to individual, cultural and socio-economic factors. In addition, declining levels of socio-emotional well-being and increasing mis- and disinformation threaten both equality in education and active participation in society.
Our goal is to strengthen the Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥'s position as a leading university in the field of learning and educational research. We will contribute to scientific theory-building on how variation at the level of individuals, groups and communities affects socio-emotional and cognitive development. We also aim to enhance the societal impact of our research by increasing understanding of variability in learning and the importance of developmental contexts. We also aim to generate knowledge to support educational practice and policy.
ULearn's research is strongly linked to the EDUCA flagship and the InterLearn Centre of Excellence. ULearn is a joint profiling area between the Faculty of Education and Psychology and the Finnish Institute for Educational Research.
The director of the profiling area is Professor Jarmo Hämäläinen and vice-director Professor Minna Torppa.
ULearn's three focus areas aim to increase societal interaction. This is done, for example, by providing information on the means and opportunities of municipalities to provide education amidst demographic, economic and policy changes which have long-lasting effects on learning and teaching practices. Information is also needed on the implementation of support systems, and their continuation across transitions from primary to secondary education.
This focus area will improve and renew the current high quality research learning support. The aim is to develop individual-level approaches to studying the effectiveness of support and to combine the contribution of individual-level factors with that of group and contextual factors.
The variability of learning challenges the education system and requires a better understanding of the heterogeneity of individuals and their learning trajectories. Learning research has traditionally focused on identifying universal and general trends in learning processes. However, research shows large variation across individuals in learning prerequisites, developmental paths and individual responsiveness to learning support. We need more information on how individual cognitive, motivational and socio-emotional characteristics interact with each other in the presence of positive or, conversely, poor learning development.
A multidisciplinary approach is needed to monitor and understand individual learning processes and to provide effective support. Our research will explore how best to achieve a situation where all learners can reach their potential. Since learning involves complex interactions between the learner and their social and physical environment, optimal support requires an integrative approach that takes into account the many factors that influence learning and a new understanding of the different developmental paths.
In this focus area, we aim to develop a systemic understanding of the complex mechanisms and interactions of individual, group and contextual factors underlying variability in learning. We also seek to understand their implications for short- and long-term educational pathways.
We also explore factors that influence children's learning pathways - and the challenges they face - including social and emotional experiences in formal and informal learning environments. In particular, the research will focus on experiences of belonging to groups and pedagogical practices that promote safety and resilience in the face of adversity. Understanding these mechanisms requires both state-of-the-art quantitative methods and sophisticated qualitative approaches to explore the longitudinal interactions between multiple risk, protective and mediating or moderating factors in different learning environments.
The research will inform and support professionals working with parents and youth, as well as with early childhood education and and school authorities in cocreating individualised solutions and preventive and restorative measures at group and institution level.
The focus area will examine the impact of educational differentiation in formal learning environments and current educational provision, and how this affects learning variability. We will explore issues such as linguistic and cultural variation, uneven regional and socio-demographic developments and the differential effects of digitalisation on educational practices.
We will also develop analytical approaches to examine learning environments (such as early childhood groups, schools, classrooms and digital platforms) in their systemic contexts, including how education is organised, how key actors enable different practices, how practices are adapted to regional needs, and how online platforms and digital solutions can be used.
