IMPDET

[Less]

The program is administered by the University of Eastern Finland, Finland under the scientific direction of Prof. Päivi Atjonen (Education) and Prof. Erkki Sutinen (Computer Science). A number of leading scholars in the field of educational technology serve on the board of the IMPDET program. An extensive network of experts from diverse fields supervise IMPDET students and give online courses.

Although there is currently no study fee for PhD studies, a plan for financial support for related expenses has to be approved. The applicant needs to prove that he/she is capable of funding at least one trip to Finland during the studies. .The pedagogical objectives adopted by IMPDET are aligned with the general outlines, which are listed below, in Elsenhart & DeHaan’s Doctoral Preparation of Scientifically-based Education Researchers:

Core Courses

Courses in subjects traditional for education programs, as well as in relevant interdisciplinary areas… are required for all entering doctoral students; these courses are scholarly, rigorous, and intense enough to bear the burden of familiarizing students with the orienting concepts in each field, the culture of scientific inquiry, and the special demands of research in education.

Research experience

Doctoral students have at least two kinds of training experience with a research project under a faculty member. First, with close monitoring and support, students are given the opportunity to engage in all phases of an investigation, from identifying a research problem to research design, to data collection and analysis, to communication of results. Second, students have the experience of pursuing a significant line of research on their own (under the supervision of one or more faculty members), and completing a series of articles published in peer-reviewed conference publications or scientific journals, a dissertation and a reviewed grant application.

Interdisciplinary collaboration

In addition to interdisciplinary courses and seminars, opportunities are provided for doctoral students to build networks with students and researchers in other departments where studies relevant to education are being conducted.

By adopting these guidelines it is hoped that each IMPDET student will come to posses the requisite research and development skills needed to make a significant contribution to the field of educational technology, and ultimately to social betterment.

[Less]