PhD Candidate: Selina Gartner, MA (University of Vienna)
Supervisors:
- Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr. Renate Motschnig (University of Vienna, dig!doc Consortium)
- Univ.-Prof. Mag. Dr. Veronika Wöhrer (University of Vienna)
- HS-Prof. Mag. Dr. Klaus Himpsl-Gutermann, MSc (University College of Teacher Education Vienna, dig!doc Consortium)
Description of the project:
There are two central questions in the reasearch project “(Re-)Connected Learning in Basic Digital Education Classes“:
- What are challenges for school belonging in BDE classes?
- How can school belonging be improved by centering students’ interactions with a focus on digital practices?
The aim of the project is to explore, together with pupils, how collaborative learning can work within Basic Digital Education and which teaching methods are suitable for this. To this end, interviews and discussions are being carried out with students and teachers in Basic Digital Education. Based on these findings, students devise solutions to existing challenges in the classroom. Through this participatory approach, students have the opportunity to help shape strategies for inclusive education.
The research project is based on Yuval-Davis’ (2006) concept of belonging and focuses on three critical factors to determine belonging:
- Social location,
- identity and emotional attachment, and
- political values.
Drawing on Rogers and Freiberg (1994), learner-centred learning is used as the framework for this qualitative research project. Using various methods (participant observation, group discussions, and collaborative interpretation and storytelling), the aim is to place the students’ perspectives at the centre and to develop strategies for inclusive teaching in Basic Digital Education.
Relevant publications:
- Gartner, S. (2026). How do teachers perceive students’ belonging? A qualitative interview study on teachers’ attitudes in Austrian basic digital education. In Quality Education for All, 3, 335–351. DOI:10.1108/QEA-05-2026-0224
- Gartner, S., & Weixelbraun, P. F. (2024). Breaking barriers: Empowerment and belonging in Austrian basic digital education from teachers’ perspective. In EdMedia Proceedings (pp. 995–1005). Brussels, Belgium. https://www.learntechlib.org/primary/p/224620/
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