Didactic concept
In order to make the learning contents vivid and tangible and thus ensure lasting learning success, we use creative and playful elements. Our portfolio includes digital learning games such as Kahoot, LEGO Serious Play, Bingo or Escape Room Settings. Such approaches from the field of Game-Based Learning can promote not only specialist knowledge but also interdisciplinary skills such as teamwork, creativity, strategic action planning, logical thinking and presentation skills.
Courses
The department offers courses related to technology-enhanced education, ethical aspects of AI and data in education and simulation science, psychological foundations of teaching and learning, dealing with heterogeneity and diversity, and computer science teacher education. Our portfolio spans courses in both English and German.
In winter semester 2022 we offer the following courses:
- Psychological foundations of teaching and learning (lecture; lecturer: Jun.-Prof. Dr. Maria Wirzberger; language of instruction: German)
- Challenge giftedness: How can we support learners with special needs in educational practice most effectively? (seminar; lecturer: M.Ed. Laura Bareiß; language of instruction: German)
- Eye tracking for intelligent educational technologies (seminar; lecturer: M.A. Francesca Zermiani; language of instruction: English)
- Emotions as influencing factor during learning (seminar; lecturer: M.Sc. Alina Schmitz-Hübsch; language of instruction: German)
- Introduction to computer game development (seminar; lecturer: M.A. Oliver Stock; language of instruction: German)
Theses
Due to the comprehensive nature of our thesis projects, we supervise mainly master theses within our ongoing research projects with related subject focus (e.g., cognitive science, vocational education, educational sciences, human-computer interaction, computer science, electrical engineering, simulation technology).
Theses are usually supposed to contribute to scientific publications (with possibility of co-authorship) and thus are preferably written in English.
Once per semester, we introduce our currently open topics in a dedicated meeting. The date and time will be announced via the relevant mailing lists.
If you are interested, you are welcome to contact us!
Our currently open topics are listed subsequently. Please be aware of the following process:
- Check in advance if your skills match the indicated requirements. We put them for a reason, as they constitute the minimum requirement for working on the topic in a meaningful way.
- Contact the indicated supervisor to make an appointment for discussing further steps.
- Submit a written exposé to the supervisor, introducing your approach to handling the research question.
Open Topics (available from October 2023)
Focus: Exploring the costs and benefits of mind wandering during video lecture through a lab experiment with eye-tracking technology
Requirements: English as supervision and thesis language, basic knowledge of data analysis and statistical analysis (Python, RStudio)
Supervisor: Francesca Zermiani
Focus: Elaboration of communication strategies for sustainability types based on cognitive structures
Requirements: experimental design and statistical data analysis (Python or R), independent working method, advantage: psychology background (otherwise guidance for hypotheses etc.), language: English or German for submission
Supervisor: Laura Höpfl
Focus: Model creation for sustainable cognition (depending on the state of research until then, in consultation with Prof. Wirzberger)
Requirements: experimental design and statistical data analysis (Python or R), independent working method, advantage: psychology background (otherwise guidance for hypotheses etc.), language: English or German for submission
Supervisor: Laura Höpfl
Focus: Investigating adaptive domain-specific fact learning (e.g., in biology, politics, history, or a particular language) with SlimStampen (in collaboration with the University of Groningen)
Requirements: experimental design and statistical data analysis (RStudio), domain expertise in a suitable field, willingness to be supervised and write thesis in English
Supervisor: Jun.-Prof. Dr. Maria Wirzberger
Focus: Inspecting cognitive mechanisms underneath managing AI-generated bias by building on cognitive evidence from decision making research (in collaboration with Dr. Sharon Chen)
Requirements: experimental design and statistical data analysis (RStudio), experience or willingness to acquire skills in implementing an experiment in lab.js or js.psych (JavaScript), willingness to be supervised and write thesis in English
Supervisor: Jun.-Prof. Dr. Maria Wirzberger