Network 3 Spring School 2012
Strengthening the Value of Curriculum Research for Curriculum Policies and Practices
The spring school is a three-day event running from May 30 - June 1, 2012 in Portugal, University of Porto
Attendees
The spring school is aimed at:
- Doctoral students and early career curriculum researchers
- Curriculum professionals with research involvement within member institutions of CIDREE (Consortium of Institutions for Development and Research of Education in Europe)
The spring school offers young researchers a forum to deepen their academic skills and extend their networking.
Introduction to the Theme
The spirit of this spring school is to strengthen the relationships between curriculum research, policy and practice. For decades, these three worlds have had loose connections. Educational policy makers have the tendency to stimulate quick generic curriculum reforms, whereas schools are initiating and struggling with (oftentimes incoherent) local changes. Finally, researchers seem to study issues rather independently from practice, for instance by studying policy effects or by performing merely theoretical studies.
Several European scholars in the curriculum field have been active in conceptualizing issues related to strengthening the connections between curriculum research, policy and practice in the European context. During this spring school we aim to bring together these European curriculum 'nestors' and doctoral students and early career researchers.
Aims of the Spring School
During the spring school we aim to answer the following questions:
- What are the roots of and current trends in curriculum research, policy and practice?
- How can we strengthen the connections between curriculum research, policy and practice?
- What are feasible strategies to promote and realize this approach?
- What are guidelines/recommendations for increasing the relevance of curriculum research?
The discussions will be continued at upcoming ECER conferences and can potentially lead to collaborative publications on the issues addressed. A second course is intended for 2013.
Keynotes of European Curriculum Nestors
| Jan van den Akker | SLO and University of Twente, the Netherlands |
| Mats Ekholm | Karlstad University, Sweden |
| Uwe Hameyer | Kiel University, Germany |
Programme
During the first two days, the three keynote speakers will introduce and illustrate an additional layer/perspective to the discussion (policy-, practice- and research-related) and will coin a subset of statements and questions. After each keynote, the statements and questions will be discussed in small working groups and results will be collected. In this way, participants will work collaboratively towards a list of recommendations for increasing the relevance of curriculum research in general and their own research activities more specifically.
Supporting this spring school
- EERA (European Educational Research Association) Network 3 "Curriculum Innovation"
- University of Twente, The Netherlands
- University of Porto, Portugal
- CIDREE (Consortium of Institutions for Development and Research of Education in Europe)
Costs
The spring school is free of charge for the participants. The organisation will cover the costs of two nights at the hotel and all meals during the spring school.
Longer stay at the hotel, travel costs to and from Porto and travel costs to and from the airport in Porto are not covered by the organisation.
Programme Committee
The programme committee consists of representatives of the following organizations:
- EERA Network 3 Curriculum innovation: Nienke Nieveen (chair)
- University of Porto: Carlinda Leite, Ana Mouraz, Preciosa Fernandes
- University of Twente: Adam Handelzalts
- Cidree: Jan van den Akker
Application
The maximum number of participants is 30. The first 30 suitable applications that arrive will be admitted.
Applications should be sent to Nienke Nieveen (n.nieveen@slo.nl) by 1 March.