MirandaNet International Research Centre
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In collaboration with: Bath Spa University, United Kingdom; Beijing Academy of Educational Sciences, China; Czech Technical University, Czech Republic; Iowa State University, USA; NHL University, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands; Osaka Kyoiku University, Japan; UNESCO, Monterrey, Mexico; Unidad Mederos, the Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo León, Mexico; Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico
The MirandaNet International Research Centre (MIRC) collaborates with partners across the world. The MirandaNet Fellowship, along with its partner organisations, World E-Citizens and MirandaNet Consultancy, is a reflective community of practitioner-researchers with partners in industry and government. Founded in 1992, it is a successful experiment in using the potential of the web to create and sustain a learning community. The MirandaNet International Research Centre exploits the potential for synergy between institutions. It gives the many practice-based research projects run by and within MirandaNet links with universities across the world, with access to resources, advice and support from experienced academics and researchers. It also provides collaborating universities with partnership in many practice-based research projects and an international community of teacher-researchers.
Publications
MirandaNet publishes a range of publications disseminating its work. These can be downloaded from the Research Publications page.
Current Projects
The MirandaNet International Research Centre has been involved in a number of projects. Current projects involve collaborations across four continents and investigate multi-modal learning, visual literacy and the impact of technology on teaching and learning.
Promethean’s ACTIVWorld project
The MirandaNet International Research Centre is engaged in a three-year
project exploring the use of Interactive Whiteboards. Promethean, leaders
in interactive technology, are working with the MirandaNet Fellowship on
a world-wide study into interactive whiteboard technology focusing on pupils’
achievement and on the transformation of the learning experience in schools.
MirandaNet Fellows, who are already expert Promethean ACTIVboard users, are supporting teachers in this action research study in China, Mexico and South. Four resident teachers per country will be assisted by their UK mentors. There will be at least 300 learners involved, as well as universities and government agencies. Another three countries will begin this action research in 2007 and then every two years after that as an ongoing study. The intention is to create an online knowledge base that shares international teachers’ ACTIVboard experience and resources in all curriculum areas.
Previous projects
Raising the Quality of E-leaning Content Provision
This project, funded by Becta, the British Educational Communications and
Technology Agency, researched issues affecting the development of high-quality
educational web-sites. It was the first project in which the MirandaNet
International Research Centre was the named bidder.
E-Lapa project with the Free State Department of Education
This project supported the develop
and evaluate best practice for the implementation of e-Education in the
province of Free State, South Africa. The first phase of the project
developed resources in ten schools and saw 56 teachers and learners from
South Africa display their work at the BETT educational technology show
in London in January 2005. The second phase of the e-Lapa Project is expected
to develop a procedure to involve the parents and wider community in the
use of the school based computer centres and will deliver more web based
learning and teaching content structures. Supporting funding has been provided
by BESA, Crocodile Clips, Promethean, Microsoft, Inspiration and Sherston.
MirandaNet Publications
Web Resources for Teachers by Teachers (2002)
From 1998 until 2001 the Government invested some £1.8 billion in the National Grid for Learning and NOF teacher training with the aim of helping teachers use ICT to raise standards and to transform teaching and learning. Engaging the profession in the use of the NGfL proved to be challenging.
The MirandaNet Fellowship, in collaboration with TeacherNet at the Department for Education, developed a project to increase teachers' awareness of the National Grid for Learning resources, to promote ownership of this new medium and to consult with teachers by peer review.
WEBRITTe: links to detailed information documents and questionnaires
MIRC Report 1: The European Driving Licence (ECDL) for Educators (2003)
This evaluation is timely as the MN evaluation of the NOF training concluded that many teachers were unable to take full advantage of the pedagogical training because their skills were not good enough. The findings indicate that teachers found that ECDL for Educators was a good approach to learning computer skills.
Download the report: ECDL
for Educators (executive summary)
Go to the ECDL web site: www.educatorsecdl.com
MIRC Report 2: Who are the Supply Teachers? (2004)
This research questioned supply teachers about the challenges they face. The conclusions help to break down some of the stereotypes about supply teachers and suggest ways of using supply teachers creatively.
Download the report: Who
are the Supply Teachers? (summary leaflet)
Download the report: Who
are the Supply Teachers? (full report
Teachers as Innovators (2000)
Preston, C., Cox M. and Cox K. (April 2000)
Teachers as Innovators in Learning: What motivates teachers to use ICT
(Summary and Forward only.)
London: Teacher Training Agency/MirandaNet/Oracle/Compaq.
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