Web Site of the Program

Head of Program: Hakan Akçay (Mathematics and Science Education)

Executive Committee: Yavuz Akpınar (Computer Education & Educational Technology), Emine Erktin (Mathematics and Science Education), Diler Öner  (Computer Education & Educational Technology), Zeynep Berna Erdiller (Preschool Education), Devrim Güven (Mathematics and Science Education)

Professors:Diler Öner (Computer Education & Educational Technology), Ebru Kaya (Mathematics and Science Education) Emine Erktin (Mathematics and Science Education), Yavuz Akpınar (Computer Education & Educational Technology)

Associate Professors: Ebru Z. Muğaloğlu (Mathematics and Science Education), Engin Ader (Mathematics and Science Education), Ersoy Erdemir (Preschool Education), Günizi Kartal (Computer Education & Educational Technology), Mine Göl-Güven (Preschool Education),  Serkan Arıkan (Mathematics and Science Education), Serkan Özel (Mathematics and Science Education), Zeynep Berna Erdiller (Preschool Education)

Assistant Professors: Aysegül Metindoğan (Preschool Education), Devrim Güven (Mathematics and Science Education), Duygu Umutlu (Computer Education & Educational Technology), Gaye Defne Ceyhan (Mathematics and Science Education), Mutlu Şen Akbulut (Computer Education & Educational Technology), Oğuz Ak (Computer Education & Educational Technology)

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY PROGRAM

The PhD program in learning sciences comprises a minimum of 29 credits of coursework, a non-credit graduate seminar in learning sciences, and a thesis. The coursework consists of 2 major required (LS 601 and LS 650), a directed readings course, and 7 elective courses. The program offers courses in four major categories: learning and cognition, methodology, design, and socio-cultural context. Students must complete five area elective courses in the specified categories as well as two additional free elective courses. Free elective courses may be chosen from among the courses offered by the program or by other programs in the university, subject to the approval of the advisor. Students with an MA, MEd, MPhil, or MSc degree can apply for the program.

Ph.D. PROGRAM IN LEARNING SCIENCES

Total Credits: 26 Credits
Total ECTS: 265 Credits

Remedial Program

Candidates who have not taken at least one course from each of the following categories during their undergraduate or graduate studies are required to complete at least one course from each category before being officially admitted to the PhD.

Category 1: Educational Psychology/Learning/Cognitive Psychology (e.g., ED 211, PRED 503, PSY 222, PSY 228)

Category 2: Curriculum Development and Instruction (e.g., ED 282, PRED 211, CET 282, SCED 544)

Category 3: Instructional Materials Development (e.g., CET 360, CET 542)

Category 4: Measurement and Assessment in Educational and Behavioral Sciences (e.g., ED 373, PRED 470, SCED 370, PSY 362)

Category 5: Quantitative Research in Social Sciences (e.g., PRED 460, PRED 501, CET 401, CET 561)

Qualifying Exams

PhD students are required to take their qualifying exams by the end of registration week of the semester following completion of the coursework. If the students want, the qualifying exams may be postponed one semester.

Electives

The following list provides a distribution of the elective courses in four major categories and other elective courses to be offered by the program. Students are required to take at least one course from each category and one more course as an area elective, depending on the area of their interest. Two free elective courses shall also be selected from the list as well as from among the courses offered by the program or other programs in the university, subject to approval of the advisor.

List of Area Electives:

Methodology Courses

LS 611 Design-Based Research in Learning Sciences

LS 615 Qualitative Research Methods

LS 619 Applied Advanced Statistics

LS 623 Assessment of Technology Integration in Pedagogical Structures

LS 627 Advanced Assessment in Learning Sciences

LS 631 Learning Analytics

LS 635 Methods of Child Study

LS 639 Networks in Education

Learning and Cognition Courses

LS 641 Educational Technology and Cognitive Science

LS 645 Self-Regulation in Learning

LS 649 Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning

LS 653 Theoretical Foundations of Learning with Technology

LS 657 Reading Acquisition and Processes  

LS 661 Reading Difficulties and Dyslexia

LS 665 Informal Learning

LS 669 Argumentation and Learning Sciences

Design Courses

LS 612 Design of Interactive Learning Environments

LS 616 Design and Implementation of Learning Systems

LS 624 Design of Educational Games

LS 625 Design of Science Learning Environments

LS 628 Design of Learning Environments in Early Childhood Education

LS 632 Teacher Professional Development Research in Learning Sciences

Socio-cultural Context Courses

LS 652 Equity and Diversity in Educational Practice

LS 656 Instructional Policies

LS 658 Educational Policies

LS 662 Theoretical Foundations of Curriculum and Practice

LS 668 Science, Literacy, and Technology

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

LS 601 Foundations of Learning Sciences (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 10
(Öğrenme Bilimlerinin Temelleri)
Core theories of learning sciences. Concepts in technology-enhanced learning including multimedia. Instructional systems and design methods aligned with cognitive learning theories. Learning in a community. Interaction and conversation through technology. Learning environments and design approaches aligned with situated learning. Overview of research approaches in learning sciences. Modelling cognition and learning. Design-based research.

LS 611 Design-Based Research in Learning Sciences (3+0+2) 4 ECTS 10
(Öğrenme Bilimlerinde Tasarım Temelli Araştırmalar)
Design-based research as an emerging paradigm for the study of learning.  Concepts and theories related to design-based research methodologies.  Examining examples of design-based research in the field of learning sciences.

LS 612 Design of Interactive Learning Environments (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 10
(Etkileşimli Öğrenme Ortamları Tasarımı)
Components and principles of interactive learning environments. Needs, content, context, and environment analysis. Design of interaction in media environments, types and levels of interactivity, levels of learner control, cognitive strategies, instructional strategies for different levels of engagement. Interface and information design. Design of prototype environments based on major theories of learning sciences.

LS 615 Qualitative Research Methods (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 10
(Nitel Araştırma Yöntemleri)
Theories and practices of qualitative methods in educational research. Central concepts, principles, and methodologies of qualitative paradigms. Design and implementation of research projects. Qualitative data analysis, interpretation, and reporting.

LS 616 Design and Implementation of Learning Systems (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 10
(Öğrenme Sistemleri Tasarımı ve Uygulaması)
Review of industrial standards in learning and training systems such as authoring systems, learning management systems, and course management systems. Concepts and principles of learning systems. Examining current learning systems. Integration of different learning systems addressing diverse educational needs. Design of learning systems with different scales. Selection of learning systems and evaluation criteria.

LS 619 Applied Advanced Statistics (3+0+2) 4 ECTS 10
(Uygulamalı İleri İstatistik)
Advanced statistical methods including factor analysis, multivariate analyses, structural equation modelling, and hierarchical linear modelling. Data analysis, interpretation, and reporting.

LS 623 Assessment of Technology Integration in Pedagogical Structures (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 10
(Teknoloji Bileşenlerinin Pedagojik Yapılarla Bütünleştirilmesinin Değerlendirilmesi)
Relating education, instruction, and technology. Discussion of relevant theories, products, and practices. Critical analysis of educational implementations of technology. Critical assessment and utilization of current educational technologies.

LS 624 Design of Educational Games (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 10
(Eğitsel Oyun Tasarımı)
Principles of game design and instructional design. Processes of rapid prototyping, play-testing, and design iteration. Evaluation of games for both entertainment and educational purposes. Focus on how people play and learn with games.

LS 625 Design of Science Learning Environments (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 10
(Fen Eğitimi Ortamları Tasarımı)
Epistemological foundations of science and science learning. Contemporary national and international science curricula. Critique of the research based science learning environments from epistemic, curricular, and technological perspectives.

LS 627 Advanced Assessment in Learning Sciences (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 10
(Öğrenme Bilimlerinde İleri Düzey Değerlendirme)
Assessment in classroom settings: validity, reliability, and usability. Qualitative and quantitative methods and approaches: value-added measures, information-reference testing, adaptive testing, and protocol analysis.

LS 628 Design of Learning Environments in Early Childhood Education (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 10
(Erken Çocukluk Eğitiminde Öğrenme Ortamları Tasarımı)
Planning learning environments in line with educational needs. Educational specifications for learning environments. Quality in early childhood learning environments.

LS 631 Learning Analytics (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 10
(Öğrenme Çözümlemeleri)
Concepts and processes of learning analytics. Social network analysis, web analysis, and pattern analysis. Data gathering and processing. Tools of analytics. Statistical evaluation of big data sets in systems such as Learning Management Systems and Content Management Systems. Identification of interacting patterns. Educational decision-making based on learning analytics.

LS 632 Teacher Professional Development Research in Learning Sciences (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 10
(Öğrenme Bilimlerinde Öğretmen Mesleki Gelişim Araştırmaları)
Teacher professional development issues and practices. Needs assessment and goals, models and strategies for teacher development programs. Obstacles to implementation of teacher professional development programs. Evaluation of teacher development programs.

LS 635 Methods of Child Study (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 10
(Çocuk Araştırmaları Yöntemleri)
Children’s perspectives and understanding from early childhood to adolescence. Post-positivist and interdisciplinary theories and methods. Ethics of studying children. Challenges in studying children's perspectives and experiences. Methodological commitment and methods, the role of theory, data, analysis, and writing.

LS 639 Networks in Education (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 10
(Eğitimde Ağlar)
Social network theory and change in education. Social network analysis. Theory and methods in the study of networks between and within organizations. Case studies of networked organizations and reform initiatives.

LS 641 Educational Technology and Cognitive Science (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 10
(Eğitim Teknolojisi ve Bilişsel Bilim)
Social, cultural, and cognitive foundations of learning in technology-based environments. Brain, mind, and knowledge representation research in relation to learning and development. Learning design paradigms for learning with technologies at different levels of schooling. Issues of cognitive science in different learning environments, including individualized, adaptive, and collaborative settings.

LS 645 Self-Regulation in Learning (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 10
(Öğrenmede Özdüzenleme)
Theoretical perspectives and research on self-regulation in learning through the interdisciplinary nature of learning sciences. Design of effective learning environments on the basis of self-regulation theories.

LS 649 Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 10
(Bilgisayar Destekli İşbirlikli Öğrenme)
The history and theoretical foundations of computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL). Design and development of learning environments for collaborative learning.  Ethnomethodologically informed perspectives for the analysis of CSCL data. Current and future research trends within the CSCL community.

LS 650 Advanced Quantitative Research in Learning Sciences (3+0+2) 4 ECTS 10
(Öğrenme Bilimlerinde İleri Nicel Araştırma)
Research methods in education. Advanced study of measurement and sampling issues, quantitative designs, and statistical analysis and evaluation. Statistical modeling using educational data.

LS 652 Equity and Diversity in Educational Practice (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 10
(Eğitim Uygulamalarında Eşitlik ve Çeşitlilik)
Equity and diversity in educational practice that targets children. Examination of equity and diversity in relation to learning theories, pedagogy, and advocacy in early childhood education. Intersections of linguistic diversity, cultural ethnicities, gender, disability, social class, and poverty.

LS 653 Theoretical Foundations of Learning with Technology (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 10
(Teknoloji ile Öğrenmenin Kuramsal Temelleri)
Conceptual, experiential, and critical perspectives on learning and teaching with technology. Historical and current approaches to educational technology: interactions between theory and practice in evolving learning environments

LS 656 Instructional Policies (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 10
(Öğretim Politikaları)
Current theories of effective instruction in different content areas. Nature and implementation of curricula. Teaching and learning based on instructional policies. Quality of classroom discourse. Policy implementation challenges in the classroom.

LS 657 Reading Acquisition and Processes (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 10
(Okuma Kazanımı ve Süreçleri)
Cognitive and linguistic processes in reading acquisition. Components of language in relation to first language reading. Current issues in reading research. Research-based theoretical models of word reading.  

LS 658 Educational Policies (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 10
(Eğitim Politikaları)
Theoretical and methodological approaches to educational policy-making. Policy implementation processes. Policy changes and reforms. Research-based effective policy-making.

LS 661 Reading Difficulties and Dyslexia (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 10
(Okuma Güçlükleri ve Disleksi)
The nature of reading difficulties and dyslexia in children. Cognitive and linguistic processes in word reading and text comprehension in relation to reading disability (dyslexia). Research-based theoretical models of reading disabilities. Current issues and new directions in dyslexia-related research. The brain and dyslexia: neural bases of reading and reading disabilities.

LS 662 Theoretical Foundations of Curriculum and Practice (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 10
(Öğretim Programlarının Kuramsal Temelleri ve Uygulamalar)
Fundamental dimensions of curriculum theory. Curriculum in cultural context, political reality, and scholarly discourse. Ideological orientations in curriculum studies.

LS 665 Informal Learning (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 10
(Onamsız Öğrenme)
Theory, evidence, and design in the field of informal learning. Settings designed to support informal learning, including museums, botanical garden, audio-visual media and drop in make shops

LS 668 Science, Literacy, and Technology (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 10
(Fen, Okur-Yazarlık ve Teknoloji)
Theories of learning to read, science learning, and learning with technologies. Teaching reading in Turkish and other languages. Reading in the context of science. Technology-enhanced learning environments integrating science and literacy.

LS 669 Argumentation and Learning Sciences (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 10
(Argümantasyon ve Öğrenme Bilimleri)
Cognitive and methodological foundations of learning argumentation. Research on teaching and learning argumentation. Social aspects of argumentation. Assessment of arguments. Design of learning environments for argumentation.

LS 670 Directed Readings in Learning Sciences (1+0+0) 1 ECTS 6
(Öğrenme Bilimlerinde Yönlendirilmis Okumalar)
Guided readings in learning sciences under the supervision of a faculty member on topics of special interest to the individual student.

LS 679 Graduate Seminar in Learning Sciences (0+1+0) 0 ECTS 2
(Öğrenme Bilimleri Semineri)
Analyses and interpretations of applications of learning sciences. Perspectives of academia and invited guests from industry. .

LS 680-689 Special Topics in Learning Sciences (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 10
(Öğrenme Bilimlerinde Özel Konular)
Study of selected topics in learning sciences.

LS 700 Graduate Seminar (0+1+0) 0 ECTS 2
(Lisansüstü Seminer)
Seminars offered by faculty, guest speakers and graduate students designed to widen students' perspectives on specific topics of interest and to expand their range of scientific research techniques and publication ethics.

LS 790 PhD Thesis ECTS 120
(Doktora Tezi)