The Research-Informed Teaching Revolution - North America: A Handbook for the 21st Century Teacher

Educators must make decisions every day, and research can help improve these outcomes. Being "evidence-informed" means engaging with research, practice, and data. This practical handbook provides 16 chapters from experts on how to integrate research into practice, with key themes such as reflective practitioners, networks, and trust helping teachers prioritize and mobilize research-evidence.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 184 pages
Publication date: 10 December 2021
Publisher: John Catt Educational Ltd

Educational decision-making is a complex and multifaceted process that educators and education systems face on a daily basis. The importance of grounding educational decisions in research cannot be overstated, as it can significantly improve the likelihood of desirable teaching and learning outcomes while reducing the risk of unintended consequences. Research is just one among many types of evidence used in educational decision-making, and being "evidence informed" requires engagement with a range of evidence sources, including practice-based evidence (such as professional judgment) and data-based evidence (such as school performance data).

To become evidence-informed, educators need to learn from experts who have successfully integrated research with other types of evidence. This practical handbook offers 16 illuminating chapters written by North American educators who are striving to realize the idea of research-informed practice. Key themes such as reflective practitioners, networks and collaboration, and trust emerge to help teachers formalize, prioritize, and mobilize the use of research-evidence in schools.

One of the key insights from the handbook is that research-informed practice is not a one-time event but a continuous process that requires ongoing commitment and dedication. Educators need to be willing to engage with research evidence on a regular basis and to reflect on how it can be applied to their own practice. This requires a mindset shift from seeing research as a separate entity to seeing it as an integral part of the educational landscape.

Another important theme is the importance of collaboration and networks in realizing research-informed practice. Educators need to work together with colleagues, researchers, and other stakeholders to share ideas, resources, and best practices. This can involve participating in professional development opportunities, attending conferences, and joining online communities. By collaborating, educators can gain a broader perspective on the issues they are facing and develop more effective solutions.

Trust is another critical component of research-informed practice. Educators need to trust the quality and validity of the research evidence they are using and to be confident in their ability to interpret and apply it to their own practice. This requires a commitment to ongoing professional development and a willingness to seek out and evaluate different sources of evidence.

In conclusion, the handbook provides a wealth of advice and perspectives on the subject of research-informed practice. By engaging with a range of evidence sources, educators can become evidence-informed and develop more effective and impactful teaching and learning strategies. The key themes of reflective practitioners, networks and collaboration, and trust emerge as critical components of this process, and educators need to be committed to ongoing professional development and collaboration to realize the full potential of research-informed practice.

Weight: 240g
Dimension: 148 x 209 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781913622862