Turning educational ideas into researchable projects.
The Educational Research Design Sprints support UMB faculty who have an early idea for an educational research project and want structured guidance to move it forward.
Through three 90-minute Zoom sessions, participants will clarify a teaching or learning problem, develop focused research questions, select an appropriate study design, and prepare for next steps such as IRB submission, internal funding, or dissemination.
Who Should Participate
This program is designed for faculty who are interested in studying teaching and learning in their courses, programs, clinical education settings, or other educational contexts.
Participants do not need to have a fully developed research study before joining. The Design Sprint is intended to help faculty move from an initial idea or question toward a clearer and more actionable project plan.
Program Format
Each Design Sprint includes three synchronous Zoom meetings offered over a six-week period.
- Session 1: Understand and Define
Participants clarify the educational problem or phenomenon they want to study and develop focused research question(s).
- Session 2: Sketch and Decide
Participants explore possible study designs, methods, participants, and data sources, then select an approach aligned with their research question(s).
- Session 3: Prototype and Validate
Participants draft a preliminary research protocol or project plan and identify next steps for IRB review, funding, or dissemination.
What Participants Will Develop
By the end of the Design Sprint, participants will have developed:
- A clearly defined educational research problem
- Focused research question(s)
- A selected study design and methodological plan
- A draft research protocol or project proposal
- Preliminary next steps for IRB submission, funding, or dissemination
Time Commitment
The Educational Research Design Sprint consists of three 90-minute Zoom sessions over six weeks. The program is offered twice per academic year.
Registration
Fall 2026 Sprint
Fridays, September 25, October 9, and October 23
12:00–1:30 p.m. via Zoom
Spring 2027 Sprint
Fridays, February 19, March 5, and March 19
12:00–1:30 p.m. via Zoom
Register for Spring 2027 Sprint
Questions
For general inquiries or questions regarding the Educational Research Design Sprints, contact Eric Belt, EdD at eric.belt@umaryland.edu.