Participatory qualitative research on the topic of Learning is not prevalent, but there are huge benefits as well as special challenges linked to it. The author developed a methodological approach of qualitative research, which is based on participation and a multi-perspective approach in that it combines various qualitative methods and integrates the use of images. It has been developed in the context of research on adults’ resistance to learning in continuing education, and it is called "Forschende Lernwerkstatt" (Research/Learning Workshop). It has been successfully used in different studies on learning and teaching (Faulstich/Grell 2004, Grell 2005, Barre/Greb/Hoops/Grell 2008) and recently documented in the well-established German Handbook of Qualitative Research in Educational Science (Grell in Friebertshäuser/Langer/Prengel 2010), also positively reviewed in FQS/FQR (Bahn 2009). But so far it has not yet been discussed in an international context.

The aim of the proposed workshop is to discuss this approach of research on learning and teaching and to compare it to similar approaches in European educational research.

The meta-theory, underlying this approach, is the Critical Theory. The learning theories which are referred to are the theories of Klaus Holzkamp (1993), Yrjö Engeström (1987/1999) and Lave/Wenger (1991). Learning is conceived of as a special form of social action.

Bahn, Chr. (2009) Review: Petra Grell (2006). Forschende Lernwerkstatt. Eine qualitative Untersuchung zu Lernwiderständen in der Weiterbildung [A Research Workshop in Learning. A Qualitative Investigation into Resistance to Learning in Further Education] In: Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung/Forum Qualitative Research. Vol. 10, No. 2. Online: http://www.qualitative-research.net/index.php/fqs/article/view/1281 Barre, K.; Greb, U.; Hoops, W.; Grell, P. (2008): Innovationsbereitschaft unter Praxisdruck. [Willingness to implemtent an innovative Approach under the conditions of everyday work (in vocational training)] In: Berufs- und Wirtschaftspädagogik Online. Bwpat Spezial 4 - Hochschultage Berufliche Bildung 2008. [16 pages] Online: http://www.bwpat.de/ht2008/ws09/barre_etal_ws09-ht2008_spezial4.shtml Engeström, Yrjö (1987/1999) Learning by Expanding: An Activity - Theoretical Approach to Developmental Research. German Translation, Marburg 1999 Friebertshäuser, B.; Langer, A.; Prengel, A. (Ed.) (2010): Handbuch Qualitative Forschungsmethoden in der Erziehungswissenschaft. 3rd Ed., [Handbook Methods of Qualitative Research in Educational Science] Weinheim, München Grell, P. (2006): Forschende Lernwerkstatt. Eine qualitative Untersuchung zu Lernwiderständen in der Weiterbildung [A Research Workshop in Learning. A Qualitative Investigation into Resistance to Learning in Further Education]. Münster (Waxmann). Grell, P. (2010): Forschende Lernwerkstatt. In: Friebertshäuser, B.; Langer, A.; Prengel, A. (Ed.): Handbuch Qualitative Forschungsmethoden in der Erziehungswissenschaft. 3rd Ed., [Handbook Methods of Qualitative Research in Educational Science] Weinheim, München, p. 887-896. Holzkamp, K. (1993): Lernen. Subjectwissenschaftliche Grundlegung [On Learning. A subject-scientific basis]. Frankfurt a.M. (Campus) Kemmnis, Stephen; McTaggert, Robin (2000): Participatory action research. In: Denzin, N. K. ; Lincoln, Y.S. (Ed.): Handbook of Qualitative Research. 2nd Edition. Sage Publications. p. 567-605. Lave, J; Wenger, E. (1991): Situated learning. Legitimate peripheral participation. Cambridge