Doctoral Researcher Inka Palimo from the Faculty of Educational Sciences at the University of Helsinki investigates how information and communication technology affects learning outcomes.
Doctoral Researcher Inka Palimo looks into how pupils' use of information and communication technology as well as their perceptions of their digital skills predicts student learning outcomes. Palimo holds a Master of Arts in Education degree and is writing her doctoral thesis in the Doctoral Programme in Cognition, Learning, Instruction and Communication (CLIC). The study is part of the .
Palimo's doctoral research is funded by the Research Council of Finland and the doctoral education pilot of the Ministry of Education and Culture, and she is employed by the University of Helsinki. She was also selected for the University of Helsinki's .
What is the topic of your doctoral thesis?
"I study how variables associated with information and communication technology predict learning outcomes in PISA assessments in Finland, Sweden, South Korea and Japan.
"In particular, I examine the use of such technology in enquiry-based learning and pupils' self-efficacy beliefs related to technology."
What inspired you to pursue a doctoral degree in your field?
"The idea was originally born when I was writing my bachelor's thesis in education. I really enjoyed the process where I read, wrote about and analysed a topic of interest to me. I was particularly attracted to the opportunity to both acquire and produce new knowledge. The field of education offers an enormous number of research topics, and I am particularly interested in themes of behaviour and the development of motivation."
What contribution can your thesis make to the wider community or society?
"First of all, learning outcomes in Finland have declined over several PISA rounds, making it important to investigate potential causes. Finland used to be among the top in PISA assessments. It would be very useful for society to identify solutions that would enable our education system to reach that standard again.
"Secondly, digitalisation is advancing rapidly, and technology plays a significant role in everyday life and activities in Finland. This is why it's important to examine how this is reflected in education and to investigate how children and adolescents can be taught responsible digital skills as effectively and ethically as possible."
How is your thesis coming along? How do you feel about writing a doctoral thesis?
"I like my work, and I'm very happy with my decision to apply for doctoral studies. I appreciate the autonomy and responsibility I have in my work. I'm currently writing my first article, and I hope to be able to submit it for review soon. Composing an article and creating a uniform, well-structured whole is challenging and even stressful at times. I sometimes feel that the more I read and study, the less I actually know. Then again, I think these feelings are part of the process, and since my doctoral education hasn't lasted even a year yet, everything is still very new to me.
"I'm planning a research visit to Waseda University in Tokyo next April for my second article. My research includes comparisons between countries, one of which is Japan. One of the goals of the visit is to gain a better understanding of Japan's education policy and the use of digital technology in teaching there. I hope to find models or make relevant observations that could help in the appropriate utilisation of ICT in the Finnish education system."
What are your plans for the future? Where do you see yourself after completing your degree?
"I hope to find a job where I can combine themes related to education and statistical work. I enjoy quantitative research, and I see it as part of my future work. I'm also interested in curriculum design and the development of education policy."
What advice would you give to someone who is just in the early stages of their journey towards a doctorate?
"Setbacks are inevitable - they are not signs of failure, but evidence of development."
