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We are currently involved in a number of research projects. We also have a number in the planning stage, and have proposals either now in consideration or being prepared for submission. We are also beginning to design projects with some of our Associates’ in other countries. We will use this page to keep a record of these projects, and include findings, developed resources, etc.
Masters of Education Degree (Imaginative Education)
This MEd program is based on two aspects of the Imaginative Education Research Group’s (IERG) work. The first involves coming to understand how students’ imaginations develop during their school years. The second aspect involves exploring ways to enable teachers routinely to engage students’ imaginations in better learning the material of the curriculum in everyday practice. It seeks to accomplish this by:
1) Exploring some alternative and innovative ideas about education;
2) Engaging teachers in the active reworking of subject matter so as to capture learners’ imaginations;
3) Working with teachers to plan, implement and evaluate their use of these innovative ideas in practice.
The faculty members teaching in the program are all members of the IERG group. They are committed to working with teachers in the study of their practice and in collaborating with them in bringing about more imaginative learning situations.
Learning In Depth
This research project is concerned with assessing the results of pilot programs implementing the LiD idea, which is that students be allotted a topic in their first week of schooling and then continue to study that topic through the rest of their school career, as well as the usual curriculum. The project is currently being funded from funds attached to Kieran Egan’s Canada Research Chair. We are seeking major funding from outside organizations, including the Spencer Foundation, and also from School Boards who wish to be involved in our pilot projects. The project currently is voluntarily supported by Gillian Judson, Jean Warburton, and Krystina Madej. You can read more about it here.
Imaginative Education Research Network (IRNIE)
In response to many requests for collaboration, the IERG has created a new website for the purpose of building a comprehensive national and
international research network on imagination and education. We wish
to bring together individuals and groups with active theoretical and
practical research agendas in this area, in order to support,
challenge, and extend each other's work and interests. Possible stages
or outcomes of this process include on-line and in-person symposia and
workshops, research planning meetings, and large-scale externally
funded joint research initiatives. Members are invited to share
papers, comments, and questions via the list-serv. The main language of
the list is English, but contributions in other languages are welcome.
If you are interested in joining this network, please go to http://www.imaginativeeducation.org/IRNIE
LUCID
Our main research project currently underway explores the potential of imaginative education in improving academic and other educational outcomes in B.C. public school districts with high numbers of Aboriginal students. The project is funded by the Social Studies and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). We call the project LUCID, and you can read about it in detail here.
The LUCID project is headed up by Mark Fettes.
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