Description

Implementing a design research approach and facilitating networking in the process of educational change

Eve Eisenschmidt and Katrin Niglas

Tallinn University, Tallinn, Estonia

Abstract

Since the 1990s, educational systems in many European countries have been under reform and the pursuit of positive change has become central to educational discourse. In this article, the authors present a reflective meta-analysis with a focus on the role of cooperation and networking in the process of educational change. This analysis demonstrates how the research of these important aspects within the current project was facilitated by using a particular methodological approach – design research. The authors’ experience demonstrates that this approach provides a reliable framework for systematic and evidence-based planning of educational change. Networking facilitates the building of trust and enables access to local information, thereby helping to create a common understanding of the aims and content of the reform. The main challenges the authors faced were managing the networking, sharing the responsibility and overcoming some partners’ lack of experience and preparedness for participating in research and policy development.

Keywords: educational change, policy-making, design research, networking, teacher education, induction program