Research at the College of Education
Research in the College of Education is directed toward improved understanding of education and enhancement of educational practice. The College is dedicated to promoting open inquiry and informed discussion about educational issues, policies and practices within society, and to implementing the University's commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi.
The College of Education has a strong research programme that includes:
- Critical analysis of the theory and practice of teaching and learning in schools and other contexts;
- Teacher professional development;
- Analysis of the policy and ideological contexts of education;
- Information technology in education, including the use of the Internet for teaching and learning;
- Inclusive education and issues of disability and justice;
- Study of the relationships between education, families, peers and the community;
- Historical analysis of the origins of current educational ideas and practices in education;
- Gender issues;
- Early Childhood curriculum, policy, history.
Research students in the College of Education benefit from the work that the College does in its links with a number of leading research centres. In particular there are strong links with the Children's Issues Centre, the Donald Beasley Institute and the Educational Assessment Research Unit.
- The Donald Beasley Institute is an independent research centre in Dunedin with a focus on disability and family issues.
- The Educational Assessment Research Unit (EARU) is located at the University of Otago. It is involved in research on assessment in New Zealand schools. It manages the National Educational Monitoring Project (NEMP).
Publications
University of Otago College of Education 2007-2008 Research Report (86k in PDF format)
University of Otago College of Education Research Handbook (517k in PDF format)