Givan launches Making Best Practice, Common Practice programme to increase access for teachers to the latest education research
Date published:
Education Minister Paul Givan 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
Paul Givan 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.
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