Why education research needs working papers

British education journals often object to the early publication of research findings in the form of working papers (also known as preprints). But would greater use of working papers be beneficial...

Escape from the exam factory

Like so many of us, I became a teacher because I love my subject and wanted to inspire the same love in my students (a sentiment repeated every year in advertising for teacher training). I most...

Using evidence-informed resources to accelerate learning

Research in the field of cognitive sciences is constantly unveiling ways that enhance memory and learning. Nevertheless, as previously mentioned in the BERA blog (Younie 2017), findings from...

Promoting children’s wellbeing, and right to make choices and engage in playful activities, in restricted environments through music and singing

In an era in which creative subjects are being squeezed in education, the role and value of the arts in health settings is increasingly acknowledged. The all-party parliamentary group on arts,...

Teacher–student dialogue: Why it matters for student outcomes

For at least two millennia, the dialogue that occurs during teaching has been spotlighted as critical for student outcomes, with many scholars proposing needs for: open questions; elaboration of...

Building Research in Primary Schools (BRiPS)

With the growing importance of securing a strong evidence base for teaching, there is considerable scope for exploring different ways in which teachers can be supported to engage in research....

Challenging the evidence on the new baseline test in reception

In this blog, the authors of the BERA report A baseline without basis: The validity and utility of the proposed reception baseline assessment in England preview the findings of their research....

What might a self-extending school system with research evidence at its heart look like?

This article is part of the BERA Blog special issue ‘Researching the Curriculum in schools and colleges: Practice, Professionalism and Innovation’ (read more). In 2010, David Hargreaves,...

Child-friendly research in the early years

Highlights from the first 1,000 BERA Blog posts

This article is part of the BERA Blog special issue ‘Researching the Curriculum in schools and colleges: Practice, Professionalism and Innovation’ (read more). How can the curriculum be...