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Studies of Instruction across Subjects and Competences (SISCO)

How do knowledge cultures and instructional practices across subjects and settings promote student learning? What impact can different models of instruction have on student learning? These are two central, overarching questions for the research group SISCO.

The research group's interest in instructional practices and students’ learning has led to a particular focus on classroom studies (Photo of classroom: colourbox).

The research group's interest in instructional practices and students’ learning has led to a particular focus on classroom studies (Photo: colourbox).

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About SISCO

Thematic focus

The thematic focus of the SISCO research group is the study of knowledge cultures and instructional practices across subjects and settings. We are particularly interested in studying how such cultures and practices promote students’ learning. We also study the connections between instructional practices and the teachers’ content and pedagogical content knowledge.

Development and validation of methodological and analytical frameworks

The SISCO research group focuses on the development and validation of methodological and analytical frameworks, designs and instruments that can be used across different subject areas and learning contexts. By developing and using common analytical tools, we contribute to a comprehensive and principled discussion about teaching and learning in and across subjects. For this purpose SISCO members test out different analytical approaches and frameworks, combining, for example, standardized observations manuals like the PLATO manual and CLASS manual with thematic and ethnographic analyses in order to understand features of teaching and learning activities across the subjects. Yet others contribute to the development of innovative, qualitative participant and context-sensitive methods to investigate some of the complexities related to teachers’ and students’ practices from a participant perspective.

Quality in teaching and learning

Our interest in instructional practices and students’ learning has led to a particular focus on classroom studies, notably through the use of video recordings. However, the group members use a large range of data sources, such as teaching material, student work (produced in and outside school), teacher feedback on student work, students’ logs, student and teacher interviews and surveys, etc. What brings us all together is a keen and long-lasting interest in analyzing how different instructional practices support students' learning and contribute to quality in teaching and learning practices.

Who are the researchers?

SISCO is organized as a cross-disciplinary group which brings together researchers from different subject fields with expertise and experience in different methodological approaches. The group includes many members with expertise in different types of language education (literacy, language arts, literature, English and foreign language education, multilingual education), as well as members with expertise in general education. We also have members with expertise in math-, science and social science education.

Research collaboration

The members of SISCO collaborate with researchers at:

  • Stanford University
  • University of California, Berkeley
  • University of Melbourne
  • University of South Alabama
  • Washington University in St Louis
  • University of Oxford
  • University of Exeter
  • École normale supérieure de Lyon
  • Université Sorbonne Nouvelle, Paris 3
  • Technical University Munich
  • University of Helsinki
  • University of Gothenburg
  • Swedish Institute for Educational Research

SISCO has welcomed visiting scholars from a large range of countries, including China, Finland, France, Italy, Sweden, and the U.S. that reflects this collaboration.

Published Feb. 14, 2011 8:55 AM - Last modified Feb. 16, 2024 11:20 PM

Participants

Detailed list of participants

Projects