Visiting Research Fellowship Oxford 2016-17

There are two research agendas that I would like to pursue during my visit to Oxford. 1. The relationship between conceptual or theoretical learning and practical, work-based learning (e.g. placement) in undergraduate professional education programmes 2. The implementation of Learning Outcomes in higher education and their potentials and limitations in driving student learning The research is linked to three research projects, all funded by the Research Council of Norway (Teacher Professional Qualification project - TPQ - and Higher Education Learning outcomes - HELO - and Innovation project Early Years Eduation, EYE-High) as well as institutional research and development work that I have been involved in at my university. My main attention will be on the former theme and linked to two projects: the TPQ and EYE-High projects. In the TPQ project I am exploring conceptual, theoretical knowledge and practical knowledge as components in teacher professional knowledge, including the particularities and relationships between higher education institutions and work settings as contexts of learning. We have a number of articles underway and I will work on these during my visit to Oxford. The EYE-High project is funded from January 2016. The project aims at - enhancing students' placement learning - establishing new models and structures for cooperation between - professional education and work places / professional sectors - enhancing professional and workplace learning in the institutions My focus is on exploring and articulating the professional competence of early childhood teachers and their position as professionals in the institutional setting in collaboration with a group of early childhood teachers. The HELO project is at its end. In Oxford I will complete an article in progress based on interviews with students - in diverse educational programmes at four Norwegian institutions - on their experiences with learning outcomes and the potential to guide learn