ICLON conducts research into the foundational levels of education.

The research activities into the foundational levels of education (primary and secondary education) are directly related to the overarching aim of the research program to improve the quality of teaching through a deep scientific understanding of teaching and teacher learning. Through the research activities we contribute to both the development of educational theory and the improvement of educational practice.

Teachers in secondary and primary education are the crucial agents in teaching-learning situations. The most fundamental goal of teachers and teaching is to support and strengthen students’ learning and development throughout their education. Therefore, our projects in foundational levels of education focus on increasing our understanding and contributing to the development of teachers’ knowledge, skills, and agency in any teaching-learning situations. Through that we develop insights into teaching and teacher learning in various school subjects and in various school contexts.

Our research into primary and secondary education is organized according to fundamental teaching-learning principles and practical tools directly related to teaching and learning in primary and secondary education. The teaching-learning principles reflect the coherence between the research projects and show the similarities and differences between teaching and learning in the foundational levels of education.

Research topics

Some research topics (not exclusively) for which you can contact us:

• Adaptive teaching;
• Collaborative learning;
• Language awareness;
• Formative assessment and feedback;
• Inclusive teaching;
• Inquiry-based teaching;
• Multiple perspective-based teaching;
• Self-regulated learning;
• Whole task-based teaching;
• Citizenship education;
• Technology enhanced learning;
• Teacher professional development;
• Assessment for learning.

Contact

Do you have any questions about educational research in primary and secondary education or about support for research at school? Please contact prof.dr. Roeland van der Rijst (director ICLON research program) or dr. Michiel Dam (coordinator research at school).