Research + Practice Collaboratory
Item
Title
Research + Practice Collaboratory
Abstract/Description
The Research + Practice Collaboratory brings educators and researchers together to develop more equitable innovations for STEM teaching and learning.
WHY RESEARCH + PRACTICE?
The solution to the gap between research and practice is often framed as a need to incorporate more research findings into practice. This approach assumes that research has answers to the questions of practice, and that these answers need only be disseminated and then applied, resulting in improved practice.
At the Research + Practice Collaboratory we frame the problem differently. We argue that education research needs more active involvement of STEM educators, across all levels of the system and at all stages of research. Our approach is based on decades of research on the “use-of-research” that reveals that most educators do not find education research, as presented in reports and summaries, directly relevant or applicable to their most pressing problems and challenges. Educators access research-based findings through professional networks and trusted colleagues who reference the research in the context of practice.
Jointly-conducted research builds relationships that can lead to more relevant questions and more usable results. It can produce tools and findings that speak directly to the concerns of educators. This approach may also represent a more ethical approach to education research by giving equal voice to the insights, experiences, and complex working conditions of practitioners on the frontlines of advancing equity and excellence in STEM education.
WHY RESEARCH + PRACTICE?
The solution to the gap between research and practice is often framed as a need to incorporate more research findings into practice. This approach assumes that research has answers to the questions of practice, and that these answers need only be disseminated and then applied, resulting in improved practice.
At the Research + Practice Collaboratory we frame the problem differently. We argue that education research needs more active involvement of STEM educators, across all levels of the system and at all stages of research. Our approach is based on decades of research on the “use-of-research” that reveals that most educators do not find education research, as presented in reports and summaries, directly relevant or applicable to their most pressing problems and challenges. Educators access research-based findings through professional networks and trusted colleagues who reference the research in the context of practice.
Jointly-conducted research builds relationships that can lead to more relevant questions and more usable results. It can produce tools and findings that speak directly to the concerns of educators. This approach may also represent a more ethical approach to education research by giving equal voice to the insights, experiences, and complex working conditions of practitioners on the frontlines of advancing equity and excellence in STEM education.
Resource type
Organizational Entity
Entity type
en
Network/Partnership
en
Online Toolkit/Clearinghouse
Social media profiles
Grant funding
Grant number
NSF Grants #DUE-1238253 and DRL-1626365
Citation
Research + Practice Collaboratory. (n. d.). Retrieved May 1, 2022 from http://researchandpractice.org/
Funded by grant
Based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under grants #DUE-1238253 and DRL-1626365
Linked resources
Filter by property
| Title | Alternate label | Class |
|---|---|---|
 LearnDBIR.org |
Webpage | |
| Partnership for Science and Engineering Practices (PSEP) Project |
Project |
| Title | Alternate label | Class |
|---|---|---|
| California Tinkering Afterschool Network (CTAN) |
Organization |
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