ESoE

The research program of the Eindhoven School of Education, called Professional Learning, distinguishes two themes: a general theme, the professional development of teachers, and a more specific theme, education in science and technology.

The initial education of teachers does not go much further than achieving the so called start competency that enables beginning teachera to make a reasonable start in his profession. Expertise development only takes place in the practice of teaching and is based on experiences. This development does not take place, automatically; expertise development has to be supported in order to be effective. The question is how the development of teachers from novices into experts in education can be promoted based in the principle of learning on the working place. The research is not only about the study of the process and the circumstances under which this process takes place from a theoretical point of view. The aim is also to develop general guiding lines, methodes and materials that promote or support the process.

The second theme of the research program is Education in science and technology. The expertise development of teachers is strongly related to the content of the education and the way in which this content is handled in an educational, didactic and pedagogic sense. The research is not just about the teaching of sciences in secondary schools, but about all forms of teaching of science and technology, including the introduction of technology in primary schools. This theme is partly a specification of the first theme as the general insights, concepts, research methods and instruments find a specific application in the teaching of science and education.

Practice oriented

Characteristic of the research is that it aims to be relevant for the teaching practice. That is why the research is focussed specifically on planned or implemented innovations in education. Also in the sense of innovation in the profession. Practical relevance is pursued by doing the research preferably within schools and classrooms, by formulating research questions in collaboration with teachers and by publishing the results not only in scientific journals, but also in the media that are directed at the teaching professionals. Wherever possible, the research results will be translated into examples, training programs, methods and prototype materials for teachers. The insitute also searches for means to involve the teachers into the execution of research projects.