Browsing by Subject "keksimispedagogiikka"

The aim of this study was to describe the collaborative invention process of two groups of elementary school students and to analyze the emergence of matters relevant to agency. The purpose of the study was to examine how the invention process proceeded in the target groups, and what kind of issues relevant to agency were apparent in the activities and discourse of the learners. The research data for this study consisted of video recordings and structured interview material of two groups of elementary school’s 5th grade students (N=8). The groups participated in a collaborative invention project combining different school subjects in the Helsinki capital area during the spring of 2017. Videos were coded with ELAN multimedia annotator to build striped process rugs visualizing the students’ discourse and action during the invention process. The research data was analyzed in three levels by using content analysis method: from the general description of the invention project to the selection of situations relevant from the agency standpoint, further to the more detailed discourse and action manifesting the emergence of matters relevant to agency. Indications of the issues essential for agency were found in the discourse and actions of the students. Students perceived their own knowledge and expertise through their personal strengths and weaknesses. The activities of the groups were co-regulated by taking responsibility for the activities of the group, by regulating other group members behavior, involving all group members to common activities and collectively overcoming obstacles. Group members provided social support and encouragement to each other, and all learners participated in group work and social interaction. Learners strove to make compromises, work together and keep the group together. The subject-specific expressions related to the invention were divided into the themes of producing the invention, taking responsibility for it and finding the invention meaningful. The results of the study provide insight into how learners’ agency can manifest itself in a collaborative invention project and how participating in such project can support the development of learners’ agency. The importance of this study culminates in the development of pedagogical models that support learners and their agency in a collaborative learning process.