Educational psychology aims at bridging between education, psychology and applied cognitive science. The most important theme is to understand student learning at different levels of education and to improve educational practices on this basis.
Our Centre aims to investigate the following areas: First, students’ conceptions of learning, epistemologies, thinking strategies and attributions, self-efficacy, self-regulative skills and their perception of learning environment. Second, to identify and describe features of various learning environments that may promote or prevent students’ meaningful learning and well-being. Third, to investigate how learning is socially and organizationally mediated by characteristics of student culture and lifestyles. Fourth, our aim is to understand the possible factors that may lead to withdrawal (drop out) from studies and to propose a theoretical and methodological perspective on learning culture that promotes commitment and interest. Fifth, to investigate and develop the collaborative practices of progressive inquiry and problem-based learning. Finally, to look at conceptual change and the development of expertise in different domains, for instance, literacy, natural sciences, and music.
We are going to establish a collaborative network among different countries for doing research on learning and teaching for facilitating cross-cultural research and comparisons. Of special interest is the selection process of how young people are selected into higher education. We also look at how high school students representing cultural minorities can enter higher education. Gender issues are also examined.
We are going to expand our research on themes described above into elementary and secondary education. Developmental issues are going to be in the focus. Even university students go through qualitative developmental and conceptual changes during their studies. Developmental transitions are going to be central at all levels of our research.
