With support from the Institute of Education Sciences, SEERNet is pleased to welcome four new research teams to the network. The funded projects reflect a diversity of research agendas and practical relevance, focusing on enhancing student learning through Digital Learning Platforms (DLPs). Study populations range from elementary to postsecondary, with research questions ranging from examining the impact of perceptual cues on math problem solving skills, supporting metacognition, designing math items to support proportional reasoning, addressing differences in course taking patterns and degree persistence between online vs. on-campus programs, reducing academic procrastination, and investigating how digital tools benefit self-regulated learning. The projects also reflect a range of methodological approaches, including experimental designs, multiple sequential studies, use of mixed methods, and exploring individual learner differences. In this blog, you’ll learn more about the history of the SEERNet research network and these new research projects.
History of the Research Network
Now more than ever before, learning happens online. And where learning is happening, there’s data. In 2022, Digital Promise was selected by the Institute of Education Sciences, the research division of the US Department of Education, to lead a rapidly growing conversation about how researchers can leverage the data that’s gathered in digital learning platforms (DLPs), in the educational experiences with the platforms learners already use, to better understand what works, for whom, and under what conditions. Digital Promise, with partners at Empirical Education, formed the network hub, SEERNet, to bring together IES funded digital learning platforms, researchers, and practitioners to define a new generation of learning sciences research.
When the network was formed in 2022, five digital learning platforms were also awarded by IES to develop the infrastructure needed to connect researchers to millions of teachers and learners across US K-12 schools and post-secondary institutions: ASSISTment’s E-TRIALS, MATHia/UpGrade, Canvas + Terracotta, Kinetic by OpenStax, and ASU Learning @ Scale. Over the past two years, the network has developed a knowledge base for conducting research in digital learning platforms that reflects the Standards for Excellence in Education Research (the “SEER” standards after which the network was named). We are excited to see these concepts put into action as researchers join the network.
Introducing the Researchers
To date, IES has awarded six research teams to become a part of SEERNet, one awarded in 2023 (Closser), one awarded in January 2024 (Zepeda) and additional four just awarded in September 2024.
Each of these teams will not only develop [knowledge in their research] but will also play a vital role in advancing the field in the use of digital learning platforms for learning sciences research, driving innovation and evidence-based practices in education.
Want to know more about SEERNet?
Follow SEERNet on LinkedIn and watch for our upcoming events.
This project is supported by the Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education, through Grant R305N210034 to Digital Promise. The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not represent views of the Institute or the U.S. Department of Education.