About the research behind Kōkiri Lab
The project
Kōkiri Lab is a free digital platform developed as part of a PhD research project at Monash University. The study examines how learning analytics, teacher feedback, and inquiry tools can support Years 7–8 students to develop evidence-based scientific reasoning in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Study title: Designing, validating, and sustaining human-centred learning analytics for Year 7–8 STEM inquiry
Researcher: Richard Pedley, PhD Candidate
What the research involves
To understand how human-centred learning analytics, feedback, and teacher dashboards can support Years 7–8 students to develop evidence-based scientific reasoning — and how teachers can improve the quality of science and technology education in Aotearoa New Zealand.
With participant consent, the study analyses:
- How students engage with sustained STEM inquiry over time
- How students develop, test, and revise scientific claims from evidence
- How platform features and teacher feedback support inquiry thinking
- How makerspace builds connect to investigation outcomes
Student names, school names, and personal details are never published. Analysis uses anonymised or aggregated data wherever possible.
Teacher participation
Kōkiri Lab is free. Teachers who wish to participate in the study and access platform resources should contact the researcher by Monash email. Site access is granted after study onboarding.
Email richard.pedley@monash.edu to request study access.
Full participant information
PhD research participant information →
What is collected, how it is stored, how it is used, and how to withdraw.
Who to contact
Principal researcher: Richard Pedley, PhD Candidate
Email: richard.pedley@monash.edu
Ethics approval
This study is submitted to the Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee (MUHREC). Ethics application reference: Project ID 38407.
MUHREC Project ID: 38407
Withdrawal
Participants can withdraw at any time by updating their preference in their profile settings. Withdrawal does not affect platform access.