Four public webinars were conducted by the NIE Office of Education Research (OER) Professional Development Committee during the first quarter of 2022, as follows:

“Design-Based Research (DBR): Situating Theory-Grounded Interventionist Studies in Real World” (28 January 2022) — a panel session featuring Dr Teo Chew Lee, Dr Wong Lung Hsiang, Dr Peter Seow and Dr Katherine Yuan, four research scientists from NIE's Centre for Research in Pedagogy and Practice (CRPP), who examined the features of DBR and presented their respective experiences with DBR in knowledge building, seamless learning, tinkering and cross-boundary interactions. Professor Zhang Jianwei, a learning scientist from the USA, served as the discussant; while Dr Seah Lay Hoon from CRPP was the moderator.

“Experiential Learning (EL) and Reflective Practice” (28 February 2022) — a panel session featuring Dr Betsy Ng from CRPP, and Mr Ho Thiam Aik, Ms Hope Lee and Mr Justin Sabai from the Singapore Polytechnic. The link between EL and reflection, as well as the application of EL pedagogy, were among the topics covered. The session was moderated by Dr Munirah Shaik Kadir from CRPP.

“Social Network Analysis Using Gephi” (16 March 2022) — a talk by Mr Addie Siew from Edgefield Secondary School, who explained the process of understanding social relationships via visualisation software, and how the information can be utilised to better support student development. The session was moderated by Dr Munirah Shaik Kadir.

“Understanding Social Network Processes: Peer Selection and Influence in Changing Social Networks” (28 March 2022) — a talk by Associate Professor Christian Steglich from the University of Gronigen, who drew insights from studies on social network approaches to explain how peer relations could influence academic function and the behaviour of adolescents. Dr Imelda Santos Caleon from CRPP was the moderator.

The webinars drew over 300 local and overseas attendees, who rated the talks highly for being relevant and engaging.