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Research Themes

Tue, 02/03/2010 - 11:26 — admin

Research within CREET is organised around four broad themes:

Childhood and Youth Studies

We draw on a range of approaches and research methodologies, including developmental psychology, childhood studies, sociology, anthropology, ethnography, cultural studies and cultural geography.

Our research priorities reflect the diversity of childhoods (for example, related to social, economic and cultural contexts) and the diversity of children’s lived experiences (for example, related to age, gender, parenting/family experiences, abilities, disabilities and mental health). Several of us are engaged in international research and in studies with a strong policy/applied focus, for example, on early childhood care and education, and child labour.

Find out more about The Open University Childhood and Youth Studies research degree topics.

Education Studies

We investigate teaching and learning in order to understand and shape more equitable and innovative learning opportunities in the twenty-first century. Our work seeks to make an impact on the unfolding educational agenda locally, nationally and internationally. We take a broadly social approach to teaching and learning, and use a variety of theoretical and methodological approaches to explore teaching and learning and learners’ identities in homes, nurseries, primary and secondary schools, and higher education and work-based settings.

Find out more about The Open University Education and Educational Technology research degree topics.

Language and Literacies

We recognise the centrality of language to the social and cultural contexts within which learning and language use takes place. Underpinning our work is the development of innovative research methods, including:

  • the use of fine-grained linguistic analysis
  • the use of multimodal analysis to capture language in interaction with sounds, images, bodily movement and gesture
  • the use of discourse analysis to examine the ways in which shared understanding is developed in social context over time
  • new approaches to research into second language learning and teaching, including the analysis of multimodal communication in online settings.

Find out more about The Open University Languages and Applied Linguistics research degree topics.

Technology Enhanced Learning

We carry out research into new uses of technology in a wide range of teaching and learning contexts. This includes research that focuses on networked and online environments, innovative technologies, emergent pedagogies and online learner experiences, and there is a growing body of research into how learning, teaching and scholarship are changed by the increasing use of social networking and Web 2.0. We also research the potential and challenges of new and emerging web technologies for disabled students.

Find out more about The Open University Technology enhanced learning research degree topics.

About us

Member of CREET undertake outward-looking research that has a beneficial impact on learning practices, policies and public debates. On this site you can:

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