Educational innovation: the challenge of evidence-informed change

Conference Year: 2017
Conference Location: Crowne Plaza, Dundalk
Educational innovation: the challenge of evidence-informed change

As teacher educators we are conscious of the contested discourse around evidence-informed change, whether in school classrooms or in terms of teacher education itself, and we feel that there is an important debate to be had around the role of evidence in driving innovation: what sort of evidence is needed? Who is producing it? Is it adequate? Are policy makers listening? What are the consequences of not listening?  Are there tensions around values and evidence, and if so, how do we reconcile them? How do we address the tendency to have ‘one size fits all’ innovation? How do we obtain the best balance among decision makers: policy makers, researchers, professional educators?

Scotens programThe 2017 Annual SCoTENS conference theme aimed to encourage speakers, panel members and delegates to consider these kinds of questions in a way that prompts reflection, discussion and debate.

There was keynote addresses by Professor Viv Ellis, School of Education, Communication and Society, King’s College London and Professor Colleen McLaughlin, Director of Innovation, Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge.   The panel discussion and workshops were built around cross-border partnerships and sought to develop our understanding of educational innovation in practice.  After the success of last year’s pilot a doctoral workshop was once again held during the conference further details available here).  This year participants were also interviewed to capture their perceptions on the value of SCoTENS for a piece of research led by members of the committee.

We very much hoped you enjoyed the challenging theme of this year’s conference and had the chance to make new connections North and South, and of course to renew old friendships.

The photos from the conference are displayed in the attached gallery. If anyone would like any photos removed please contact crossborder@qub.ac.uk

Date / Time Event Details Watch/Listen
13/10/17
1.45pm

Opening remarks by Dr Noel Purdy,  co-Chair SCoTENS

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13/10/17
2.30pm

Keynote address by Professor Colleen McLaughlin, Director of Educational Innovation, Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge Evidence, innovation and care in schools – the issues and challenges

Presentation

 

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13/10/17
3.15pm

Questions & Discussion

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13/10/17
4.00pm

Parallel workshops 

Workshop 1: Developing confidence in Computational Thinking

Workshop 2: THE PLAI Study: Playful Learning Across Ireland

Workshop 3: Teacher Education: Exploring the Professional Development of School Leaders

13/10/17
7.00pm

2016 SCoTENS Annual Report launched by Ms Ruth Taillon, Director, Centre for Cross Border Studies and Secretary SCoTENS

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13/10/17
7.00pm

Teacher educator professional learning: Shaping the conversation of teacher education? launched by Dr Joanne MOLES, Co-Director PG Mentoring Programme, University of Limerick

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14/10/17
11.30am

Keynote Address by Professor Viv Ellis, Chair in Educational Leadership and Teacher Development, King’s College London Innovation, evidence and reform: A vocabulary of change in teacher education

Presentation

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14/10/17
1.35pm

Panel Discussion

Panel comprising

Dr Conor Galvin, Director of Graduate Studies, MA Education Programme, University College Dublin

Ms Michelle Sliney, Principal, Gaelcholáiste Choilm, Ballincollig, Co Cork,

Dr Glenda Walsh, Head of Early Years Education and Principal Lecturer, Stranmillis University College

Ms Shauna McGill, Lecturer in Education, Ulster University

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14/10/17
3.00pm

Closing remarks by Professor Kathy Hall co-Chair SCoTENS

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