Education Minister has today launched a new
programme to provide teachers with access to the latest education
research.
The programme aims to help bridge the gap between academic
research and classroom practice, ensuring that educators are
equipped with the latest evidence-based strategies to enhance
learning for all pupils.
Earlier this month the Minister launched a new education
strategy, TransformED, to reform and improve education
delivery in Northern Ireland. The strategy contains a specific
action to improve access for teachers to education research.
The Making Best Practice, Common Practice programme will
include three key elements:
- Funding for schools to support Research Informed Conferences
- Monthly Newsletter for teachers on the Science of Learning
- Quarterly Northern Ireland publication for teachers on wider
education research
said:
“The benefits of teachers engaging with
educational research are well documented.
Research engagement directly informs
teaching practice through building confidence and understanding;
articulating new ideas and ways of thinking; and encouraging
reflection, dialogue and debate.
“Making Best Practice, Common Practice will
focus on building knowledge across the profession by
strengthening connections between research and practice. Through
the Programme, funding will be made available to support schools
in hosting research informed conferences that will bring teachers
together to learn from the latest research informed pedagogy,
connect with other educators and researchers; and learn about new
ideas.”
The programme responds to feedback from educators calling for
greater support to translate research into actionable classroom
actions. It will provide increased access to the latest
educational research in a user-friendly and convenient manner.
The Minister concluded: “I am committed to enhancing
educational outcomes through evidence-based practices and by
creating opportunities for professional growth and knowledge
exchange. This journey begins by providing effective
research-informed support for our teachers.”
Notes to editors:
- Improving access to research is a key commitment within the
Department's Education Strategy, TransformED NI.
- The programme will begin with the first monthly newsletter
being issued in April 2025, supplemented by the quarterly
publication on education research in June 2025.
- Schools will be invited to submit proposals for Research
Informed Conferences through an Expression of Interest process,
to be issued in the Summer Term.
