My current research focuses on curriculum studies, effective teaching, student assessment, network learning among students and school practice. I previously worked at the Middle East Technical University in Turkey as teacher, professor (since 2003), and department chair. I have taught courses in teacher education as well as at master´s and Ph.D. programs in the areas of teaching profession, development and learning, instructional planning, teaching methods, classroom management, study and thinking skills, adult education, research on teaching, and qualitative research methods.
My previous research has also focused on teaching and learning in social studies, curriculum evaluation, critical thinking, instructional planning and teacher education. In addition, I led large-scale survey studies on behalf of Ministry of Education in Turkish schools in relation to national tests, student transition, school effectiveness, parent education and vocational education.
Along with my research on various aspects of education, I carried out extensive work with schools in Turkey in the areas of instructional planning and evaluation, improvement of teaching and learning processes, teacher performance and school improvement. I also worked with the Ministry in developing frameworks for teacher competencies and faculty-school collaboration to improve teacher education practices in schools.
I have been involved in the past ten years in numerous European Union Projects that focused on active citizenship, lifelong education, climate friendly schools, educational networks and assessment of informal learning outcomes. The most recent project, GREEN, aimed to establish a network among European schools on climate change education, and my current research on network learning is an extension of the activities of this project. I also served as curriculum development and research consultant at three large scale World Bank funded education development projects in Turkey: National Education Development Project, Teacher Education Development Project, and Vocational Education Project.
My published books and articles focus on qualitative research methods, study and thinking skills, student development, curriculum studies, learning strategies, teaching and learning in social studies, teacher education and science communication.
