News Item
Innovative ideas to strengthen primary school and teacher education
Independent Research Fund Denmark has just awarded 22 million DKK to seven innovative research projects. These selected projects vary widely in topic and methodology but share the overarching goal of ensuring improved learning and well-being in primary schools.
Under the call ‘Learning and well-being in primary schools’ funding from Independent Research Fund Denmark was available for research projects aimed at enhancing practice-oriented research and providing new insights into learning and well-being in primary schools. Additionally, these projects are intended to strengthen the foundation of teacher education by fostering a closer link between research, the content of teacher education, and school practices.
Seven projects were selected following a thorough assessment by the fund's thematic committee, DFF | Thematic research – Primary schools and vocational education.
On behalf of the selected projects, chair of the committee, Ane Qvortrup, commented: »With this funding, we aim to reinforce the foundation of teacher education and strengthen the relationship between research in this area and the content of teacher education. There is not always a strong connection between what is learned in teacher education and actual school practice, so it is relevant to determine how teacher education can be enhanced to ensure the well-being of children and youth.«
Improved school-home-collaboration and ‘data-driven’ well-being
How can we bolster student teachers' confidence in establishing effective school-home-collaboration? Can we use ‘well-being apps’ to monitor the well-being of students in a classroom? What impact do exams have on students' learning and well-being?
These are some of the topics the research projects delve into, all aimed at promoting better learning and well-being in primary education.
»The time spent in primary school plays a crucial role in the lives of children and youth and helps shape the opportunities they will have as adults. Therefore, it is vital to strengthen the knowledge base about primary schools and teacher education to ensure better well-being and learning for students and a stronger link between research and practice in teacher education,« says Søren Serritzlew, Chair of the board of Independent Research Fund Denmark.
Facts about the call ‘Learning and well-being in primary schools’
Independent Research Fund Denmark received a total of 21 applications for the program, with funding granted to seven projects. The success rate is 33.3% based on the number of applications.
The program ‘Learning and well-being in primary schools’ is part of the thematic funding initiatives, a political and strategic investment in a specific theme that is open to all scientific fields that can contribute knowledge to the theme. Thematic research serves as a supplement to independent research driven by researchers’ curiosity-driven initiatives.
Since 2018, Independent Research Fund Denmark has allocated research grants within politically defined themes, financed through annual political agreements on the distribution of the research reserve.
October 08, 2024