August  2020

The first AERA Virtual Research Learning Series (VRLS) concludes in September with two final courses that will build on the significant success of the series since it launched in May. The first seven courses generated substantial turnouts ranging from 200 to more than a 1,000 registrants per course, with many drawing 700 to 800 attendees. 

With nearly 5,000 registrants signed up for the series as Highlights goes to press, the final two courses are keeping pace with very large enrollments. All of the courses feature high-quality instruction tailored for virtual delivery from leading experts. An emphasis is also placed on interaction, active discussion, and Q&A with participants.

The following two courses are being offered in September:

• On Tuesday, September 1, Katherine Picho (Howard University) and Marie Plaisime (Howard University) will teach “Using Factor Analysis for Survey Design and Validation.” This interactive course provides a primer on survey development and the use of factor analysis to validate surveys. It aims to help educators (including administrators) and researchers at all levels who are developing, implementing, or designing questionnaires for research, program evaluation, or educational purposes. 
• On Tuesday, September 15, Lorri Many Rivers Johnson Santamaría (Mixteco Indígena Community Organizing Project) and Cristina Corrine Santamaría Graff (Indiana University—Purdue University at Indianapolis) will present “Co-Decolonizing Research Methods: Toward Research Sustaining Indigenous and ‘Other’ Community Engaged Ways of Knowing.” For those interested or engaged in research produced by or serving Indigenous peoples or people of Color in the United States directly or indirectly affected by colonization, this course provides a way forward toward authentic collaboration with stakeholders and interested parties.

To view descriptions of both courses and to register, click here. All courses are $35 each and registrants enjoy unlimited access to the course videos and materials. Designed to reach participants at different skill levels, the courses are intended particularly for graduate students, early-career scholars, and other researchers seeking to build new knowledge or skills. AERA aims to maximize the accessibility of the courses by providing ASL and closed captioning.

The nine courses in the series reflect substantial breadth in terms of topical emphases, stages of research, and methodologies. A complete list of the nine courses, including related descriptions and information on the faculty is on the AERA website. 

The videos of the nine courses and related PowerPoint slides and materials will be available soon through the AERA Virtual Research Learning Center (VRLC). Those already registered for a course can access it without additional cost and will have access to complete course materials, including information subsequently posted by faculty. Those interested in taking any of the nine courses will be able to register through the AERA-VRLC at $35 per course.  

A follow-up AERA virtual research learning series is being planned, leading up to the 2021 Virtual Annual Meeting.    

George L. Wimberly, AERA’s director of professional development, designed and leads this series. Questions about the courses should be directed to profdevel@aera.net.