My Doctoral research in social science investigates the effectiveness of activating teaching methods related to Problem Based Learning (PBL).  Since my lectures cover very different subject areas and I teach both German and international study groups, there are many opportunities to use different teaching methods and gain valuable experience. My research design is based on quasi-experimental studies with conscious selection of certain dependent variables and effect measurement through group evaluations. After statistical significance tests, relations between the teaching method and student results or their attitudes can be derived from the findings. This PhD research is based on my studies at the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Applied Sciences Karlsruhe, my studies of economics at the University of Hagen and my education as a lecturer at the Center for Higher Education and Teaching at the DHBW in Heidenheim

In what follows are my single research projects in educations in chronological order starting in 2018. 

Discipline:

Social Sciences / Didactics

Hypothesis:  

The application of Class Peer-Review (CPR) positively influences the study group behavior towards peer-learning and class achievements.

Method:

Quasi-experimental two cohort study in an engineering discipline where the application of software lab is dominating. Effect measurements by pre-and post test evaluations and significance tests.

Findings:  

CPR is an activating method which stimulates the group feeling in the class. However, the application is time intensive and needs much experience and preparatotry work by the lecturer. 

Progress: 

CPR can effectively applied particularly at the Cooperative-State University (DHBW) because the self-study workload is twice as much as the presence lectures at the school. Then CPR becomes an out-of-class training instrument. 

Dissemination:  

1. D.Friedrich. Class-Peer-Review-Verfahren zur Reflexion und Kommunikation von Studienergebnissen aus dem Softwarelabor, p.121-132. In: D. Ternes, C. Schnekenburger. ZHL-Schriftenreihe für die DHBW: Labore, Planspiele und Simulationen, Band 3. Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg, 2019. ISBN: 978-3-9819673-2-6.

2. D. Friedrich. Effectiveness of peer review as cooperative web-based learning method applied out-ofclass in a role playing game: A case study

by quasi-experimental approach. Journal of Smart Learing Environments 6, doi.org/10.1186/s40561-019-0102-5. 

Next steps:

Application of CPR in culturally diversified classes at the SRH University of Heidelberg in my international courses.

Discipline:

Social Sciences / Didactics

Hypothesis:  

Effectiveness of CPR is higher if more than one review is conducted and if the different reviews are done on non-similar lecture contents.

Method:

Quasi-experimental two cohort study conducted in an analytics discipline of a management lecture. Effect measurements by pre-and post test evaluations and significance tests. Three-scenario-based approach to create different review-processes which lead to a multi-factorial analysis. 

Findings:  

CPR applied with more than one review is effectiveness-increasing as a one-review-based ap-proach. Also the application of reviews on different lecture topics than doing three reviews on the same topic leads to better individual learning results.  

Progress: 

CPR can effectively be applied on multiple-lecture topics which positively affects the class` learning output.  

Dissemination:  

D.Friedrich, Effectiveness of Class Peer-Review under varied multiple review designs: A teaching method with homeschooling format, The Journal of Competency-Based Education.  https://doi.org/10.1002/cbe2.1227.

Next steps:

Application of CPR in culturally diversified classes.