Laila Gustavsson

Generative learning: learning beyond the learning situation

In this article an educational action research study, based on a phenomenographic approach, is reported in which unexpected results have been possible to gather thanks to the inductive design of the study. The aim is to describe the ways in which contrasts of critical aspects of a learning object affect the students’ generative learning found by analysing three learning studies based on the theory of variation. Variation is in this article defined as the varied ways a phenomenon can be discerned. By contrasting critical aspects (i.e. main features needed to understand a phenomenon) in a dimension of variation, the learning object (i.e. the targeted ability or knowledge taught) can change form and be experienced in different ways that influence the students’ ability to learn. To investigate in which ways the contrasts affect the students’ learning outcome was the primary focus of the study, but the results also show an interesting pattern of how students’ learning outcomes in the short‐term and long‐term perspective are affected. In this study we have worked with learning study as a method, and the results are based on analyses of three learning studies made up of three lessons each. The results show how one pattern of contrasts allows the students to look critically upon their previous knowledge and make them find new ways of seeing the object of learning. This pattern has also been found to be more powerful in preparing students for future learning, since it seems to generate new learning (generative learning) after the learning situation itself.

The educational nature of different ways teachers communicate with children about natural phenomena

This empirical study analyses the qualitatively different ways in which teachers approach childrens learning in and about nature. The empirical data consists of video observations of children and teachers communicating with one another around natural phenomena found during excursions into a forest. Variation theory is presented as a framework for analysing the opportunities teachers provide for childrens learning. The study identifies three qualitatively different ways in which teachers communicate with children: one based on the principle of opening up dimensions of variation, the second building on presumed shared previous experience as a resource for making sense of a novel observation and the third involving children through using a make-believe playful approach. The implications of these three different approaches for childrens learning are discussed.

Ways of Dealing with Science Learning: A Study Based on Swedish Early Childhood Education Practice.

ABSTRACT The Swedish school system offers curriculum-based early childhood education (ECE) organised as preschool (for 0–5-year-olds) and preschool class (for 6-year-olds). The intention to create a playful and educational environment based on children’s perspectives, interests, and questions is strongly based on historical and cultural traditions. This article develops knowledge of ECE teachers’ approaches to science-learning situations. The study applies a phenomenographic approach. The analysis is based on approximately 9.5 hours of video documentation of teacher-led and child-initiated Swedish ECE science activities. We identified two descriptive categories and four subcategories dealing with science-learning situations: (A) making anything visible, containing the three subcategories (Aa) addressing everyone, (Ab) addressing everything, and (Ac) addressing play and fantasy; and (B) creating a shared space for learning (Ba) addressing common content. These categories are related to how efforts to take advantage of children’s perspectives are interpreted and addressed in educational practice. The article discusses and exemplifies the use of various categories and their potential implications for ECE learning practice.

Lärares uppfattningar av undervisning och naturvetenskap som innehåll i förskolans verksamhet

The aim of the research project is to analyze and describe how pre-school teachers during an in-service training period develop theoretical knowledge about focusing the content when planning for te ...