Last weekend, Paul Kirschner opened the ResearchED conference in Nieuwegein with the launch of the book. More than 500 teachers and researchers had gathered there to learn about findings from scientific research. In his opening speech, Kirschner talked about the highlights of the book and the special way in which it came about.
It all began in Finland, where a group of primary school administrators, together with staff from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, teacher training colleges and the PO-Raad, were on a study trip. They met Kirschner in the hotel breakfast room. What followed was an interesting conversation about the lack of scientific knowledge available to teachers and the gap between research and educational practice. The idea for ‘On the Shoulders of Giants’ was born.
Back in the Netherlands, it became clear that there was a broader need for clearly translated insights from cognitive psychology. That is why Agora, Conexus, DeBasisFluvius, KPOA, Meer Primair, Movare, Optimus, Peelraam, PROO, Signum and Stromenland, together with Pabo Hogeschool Arnhem en Nijmegen, the PO-Raad and Didactief, decided to finance the production of the book. Harrie van de Ven, chair of the Executive Board of Optimus, notes that “primary education is becoming an increasingly knowledge-intensive sector”. Van de Ven also emphasizes the success of the initiative: “We did not wait for a chance publication, but worked together with universities to make knowledge that teachers need available to them.”
The PO-Raad wants to bring scientific research and everyday educational practice closer together. For example, the PO-Raad is one of the initiators of the development of an action plan for the knowledge infrastructure for education, the educational research workshops and the Kennisrotonde. “This initiative also demonstrates that wonderful results can be achieved when education and research work closely together,” says Anko van Hoepen, vice-chair of the PO-Raad.
The fact that the creation of ‘On the Shoulders of Giants’ meets the need among teachers for greater access to scientific knowledge is also evident from the many positive reactions on Twitter. Van Hoepen: “I am proud of the efforts made by our committed school boards and partners. Thanks to them, there is now a wonderful book for primary school teachers. I hope they can enrich their wonderful profession with the insights from this book.”
Download the book here.