The research project

We are looking for two PhD candidates for the NRO PROO financed research project “You see? Effects of establishing joint attention in pre-recorded and real-time modeling examples on learning”. Video modeling examples are easily created and shared by teachers nowadays, and therefore widely used. Yet knowledge of design guidelines to optimize learning from such examples is scarce. We investigate whether establishing ‘joint attention’ between model and student, by means of gaze cues, constitutes an effective design guideline. In part-project 1, conducted at Utrecht University, it is investigated whether using ‘direct’ gaze cues (i.e., the model’s head and eyes turning towards the task) in lecture-style video examples improves joint attention and learning. Using wearable technology (eye tracking glasses), we test whether effects are replicated in live, real-time modeling. In part-project 2, conducted at the Open University of the Netherlands, the same questions are addressed, but using ‘indirect’ gaze cues (i.e., the model’s eye movements being displayed as colored circles) in screen-recording examples. Here, real-time modeling is tested in an innovative ‘digital classroom of the future’ setting.

Tasks

• independently conducting the research project (literature synthesis, data collection and analyses, reporting) in the above mentioned field, resulting in scientific publications in international journals and a PhD thesis;
• actively participating in the joint research meetings of the project team and the research team meetings of the institute of employment;
• following courses and partaking in research school ICO;
• teaching tasks (max. 0.15 fte) may be part of this position.

The PhD candidate for project 1 will be appointed at Utrecht University and the PhD candidate for project 2 will be appointed at the OUNL.

Requirements

• master’s degree in Educational Sciences, Educational Psychology, or (Applied) Cognitive Psychology, preferably a research master;
• for part-project 1, mastery of the Dutch language is required, for part-project 2 mastery of either Dutch or German is required;
• experience with eye tracking is preferred;
• ambition to collaborate with international partners and to stay abroad for (short) research visits in the context of the project
• ambition to develop oneself as scientific researcher;
• good social skills;
• good written and oral communication skills in both English and Dutch (part-project 1) or English and Dutch or German (part-project 2);
• knowledge of quantitative research methods and analyses in the social sciences;
• analytical thinking and creativity.

A PhD student will be initially appointed for a period of 15 months. The appointment will be extended to four years when progress and performance are good. The salary is € 2.222,= gross per month in the first year and is expected to increase to € 2.8840,= in the fourth year, for a fulltime appointment, contingent on satisfactory performance.

The OUNL provides good secondary benefits such as training, mobility, part-time employment and paid parental leave. 

The Open University of the Netherlands (OUNL)

The Open University of the Netherlands (OUNL) is the university in the Netherlands where students study part-time and follow online and activating education in bachelor and master degree programmes in seven fields of study. Characteristics of the education are openness, flexibility and quality. Enhancing the study success of students is an important point of focus. More than 15.000 students are studying at the OUNL and it has 531 employees. The OUNL has a network of fifteen regional study centres in the Netherlands and six in Belgium (Flanders). The head office is situated in Heerlen.

The most modern technologies and educational insights are applied in bachelor and master programmes and courses and also in projects and programmes with partners. Nationally and internationally the OUNL plays a key role in the innovation of higher education. Education and research are closely interrelated which guarantees that the current state of science is applied. The OUNL not only invests in research in the various academic disciplines, but also in research in learning sciences and learning technologies.

Satisfied students

For several consecutive years, the OUNL has achieved the top 2 position among the fourteen Dutch universities in the National Students Survey, the Dutch university guide ‘Keuzegids Universiteiten’ (in which the ratings by students and experts of the bachelor studies of the fourteen universities are compared), and the Dutch university guide ‘Keuzegids Masters’. In addition all studies score high in the rankings of the universities for these studies. All ratings are available on the website.

Utrecht University

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major societal themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability.

The city of Utrecht is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, with a charming old center and an internationally oriented culture that is strongly influenced by its century-old university. Utrecht city has been consistently ranked as one of the most livable cities in the Netherlands.

Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences

The faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences is strong in education and research. The faculty offers scientific bachelor and master studies Psychology and a master Educational Sciences. Four different master studies Psychology are offered: Work and organizational psychology, Health psychology, Clinical psychology and Lifespan psychology. The research programme of the scientific field of psychology is positioned within one of the four afore-mentioned fields of study of psychology. The Welten-instituut is the research centre for learning, teaching and technology. It is a department of the faculty which plays an important role in research into the innovation of education and professionalization of teachers, both nationally and internationally.

UU Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences is one of the leading faculties in Europe providing research and academic teaching in cultural anthropology, educational sciences, interdisciplinary social science, pedagogical sciences, psychology, and sociology. Research and teaching activities are concentrated in five areas:

• Behaviour in Social Contexts;
• Child and Adolescent Studies;
• Cognitive and Clinical Psychology;
• Education and Learning and
• Methodology and Statistics.

More than 5,600 students are enrolled in a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programmes. The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences has some 850 faculty and staff members, all providing their individual contribution to the training and education of young talent and to the research into and finding solutions for scientific and societal issues.