Research-informed strategies to address educational challenges in a digitally networked world

This special issue represents the scholarly work that emerged from the EDUsummIT 2013. EDUsummIT is a growing and active community of researchers, policy makers and practitioners that is committed to promote research-informed strategies to effectively integrate ICT in educational policy and practice. First the background and aim of EDUsummIT is presented, followed by an overview of the contributions to this special issue

A comparative analysis of international frameworks for 21st century competences: implications for national curriculum policies

National curricula need to change drastically to comply with the competences needed for the 21st century. In this paper eight frameworks describing 21st century competences were analysed. A comprehensive search for information about 21st century competences was conducted across the official websites of the selected frameworks, resulting in 32 documents that were analysed in detail. Travers and Westbury’s framework of curriculum representations was used to determine horizontal and vertical consistency between the frameworks. The frameworks were compared on their underlying rationales and goals, their definition of 21st century competences, and the recommended strategies for the implementation and assessment of these skills in educational practice. In addition three international studies were examined to analyse how various countries (EU member states, OECD countries) and schools (SITES studies) deal (or not) with 21st century competences. The findings indicate a large extent of alignment between the frameworks about what 21st century competences are and why they are important (horizontal consistency), but intentions and practice seemed still far apart, indicating lack of vertical consistency. The implications of the implementation of 21st century competences in national curriculum policies are discussed and recommendations are provided

Teacher design teams as a strategy for professional development : the role of the facilitator

The goal of the current study was to explore the role and importance of the facilitator in Teacher Design Teams. The study took place in the context of a pre-service teacher education institution in Belgium, where teacher design teams were set up to facilitate the professional development of teacher educators. The findings from focus group discussions with team members and semi-structured interviews with facilitators confirm that the perceived importance of a facilitator depends on several factors, such as team characteristics and the design phase. Moreover, we found that a facilitator can fulfil three roles in a dynamic way: 1) providing logistic support, 2) scaffolding the design process and 3) monitoring the design process. The discussion centers on how these results can be used to support facilitators for successful Teacher Design Teams

Conditions for the successful implementation of teacher educator design teams for ICT integration : a Delphi study

Teacher educators often struggle to model effective integration of technology. Several studies suggest that the involvement of teacher educators in collaborative design is effective in developing the competences necessary for integrating information and communication technology (ICT) in teaching. In a teacher educator design team (TeDT), two or more teacher educators (re-)design curriculum materials together. For the successful implementation of TeDTs, conditions at both team and institutional levels have to be taken into account. However, there is little consensus among stakeholders about which of these conditions are of highest priority. Most studies present priority or critical conditions from the viewpoint of just one group (e.g., school leaders). A Delphi study was set up aiming at synthesising the knowledge and views of various stakeholders about the conditions for the successful implementation of TeDTs for ICT integration. Consensus about the importance of ten conditions was reached in the entire sample after three rounds. These conditions include a long-term vision, trust, ownership, time and supportive institutional policies

Exploring shifts in the characteristics of US government-funded science curriculum materials and their (unintended) consequences

Grant-funded curriculum development efforts can substantially impact practice and research in science education. Therefore, understanding the sometimes-unintended consequences of changes in grant priorities is crucial. Using the case of two large funding agencies in the United States, the current portfolio review provides insight into these consequences by examining shifts in the characteristics of K-12 science curriculum materials funded during two time periods with differing funding priorities. Findings revealed a move away from comprehensive curricula, increased reliance on technology-based materials, a growing trend towards open access, but also a decrease in teacher supports. While these shifts may enhance teachers’ flexibility to shape curriculum, they also increase the challenge of ensuring curricular coherence. Recommendations are outlined for policymakers, science education researchers, and curriculum developers

Un camino sin retorno:estrategias medodológicas de aprendizaje activo

En este artículo compartimos algunas reflexiones acerca del desarrollo de metodologías de aprendizaje activo en la enseñanza universitaria a partir del análisis crítico de las experiencias vividas en tres procesos de innovación desarrollados en el marco del Programa de Formación Inicial del Profesorado de la Universidad de Alcalá. Si bien se trata de tres experiencias distintas, con características y peculiaridades propias, todas parten del compromiso por comprender y transformar la práctica docente a través de la indagación y reflexión colectiva. En base a estas experiencias planteamos algunas reflexiones sobre los procesos de cambio educativo y el desarrollo de metodologías de aprendizaje activo

Una propuesta didáctica para facilitar el aprendizaje relevante de alumnos de psicopedagogía con apoyo de las Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicación

Esta comunicación describe y analiza una experiencia de innovación desarrollada por un grupo de profesores de la facultad de Psicopedagogía de la Universidad de Alcalá de Henares implicados en un proceso de investigación-acción con el propósito de construir y aportar reflexiones y alternativas para (re)pensar la integración de TIC en la enseñanza universitaria desde el análisis, la experimentación y la indagación de su práctica educativa. En ella se plantea la utilización de Tecnologías de Información y Comunicación (TIC) como herramientas de apoyo, al interior de una propuesta didáctica orientada a favorecer el aprendizaje relevante de los alumnos de psicopedagogía y el establecimiento de conexiones y relaciones entre asignaturas. A partir de unos principios de actuación compartidos (interdisciplinariedad, aprendizaje relevante, evaluación centrada en los procesos, etc.), se propone la utilización articulada de una plataforma de aprendizaje virtual (WebCT) para la organización y gestión de los aprendizajes y Bitácoras (Weblogs) para la construcción de diarios reflexivos. Ambas herramientas fueron integradas en los procesos de enseñanza y aprendizaje con el fin de ampliar los espacios de reflexión, intercambio y trabajo colaborativo más allá del aula, complementando y profundizando las actividades desarrolladas en clases en el marco de una propuesta de enseñanza basada en el sistema de créditos europeos