teaching research methods - 'it's all in the game
DESCRIPTION
Teaching research methods is problematic; research suggests that the terminology is challenging and is often referred to as inaccessible and ‘complicating common sense’. This workshop aimed to address showcase innovative and creative pedagogy in teaching research methods, with a particular emphasis on the use of games in the classroom. This presentation forms part of a blog post about the workshop, which can be accessed via: http://bit.ly/1hmc20V For further details of HEA Social Sciences work relating to teaching research methods please see: http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/resources/detail/disciplines/Soc_Sci/Strategic_2013/ResearchMethodsTRANSCRIPT
Teaching Research Methods – ‘It’s all in the game!’
Recipe for Methodology House
Screen One
Screen Two Screen Three
Screen Four
Screen Six
Screen Five
Character chooses research question or can choose own
Character chat can be customised
Outside the house a character waiting to enter the game
Inside the house, overview of platform
House is taller-Ground floor-qualitative and quantitative1st floor-philosophy2nd floor-approach3rd floor- strategy4th floor-data collection methods5th floor-time horizons
Each level similar layout, extra doors to suit section
Windows light up etc.
Quantitative game on ground floor. Character enters room and plays a number based game.
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words Words
Words
WordsWords
Words
It has a simple definition for ease of understanding, plus the puzzle aspect to represent numbers and repetitive elements of quantitative and scientific testing
Squares must be organised in the right order to finish the game and read the definition
Qualitative game on ground floor. Character enters room and plays a word based game.
Word match game. Cards face down, character has to pick the matching cards that have words relating to qualitative on, some are incorrect –so must avoid to finish a game
Card face down
Card face down
Card face down
Card face down
Incorrect
Incorrect
Match card
Match card
Room-Task is to collect as many rings as possible in the appropriate colour for your choice of research design e.g.-blue= quals, red= quants
There will be some other coloured rings, which will be subtracted from the core collected
Character has to jump for rings or climb on obstacles
Level up game on ground floor,character makes decision on quals or quants research and then plays level up game
Summary screen of decisions so far and door to next level
Summary- you have chosen Qals/Quants , now you must select a philosophy. Enter level 2
Can also collect gold keys etc. Which contain ‘sampling’ or ‘ethics’ etc.
Door to level 2
Door to game room
Door to game room
Entry door Level up
door
In here is a definition of quants, which has been muddled up in squares
Spare square
Discussion Questions
• What is the most difficult element of teaching research methods?
• Do you think the uses of games are appropriate in a HE environment?
• What would you identify the main barriers to learning research methods are?
• What do you think is the future direction of teaching research methods?