Transform.Ed Briefing #60

Inside the Briefing: From improving learner outcomes to using research well in education policy and practice - emphasizing the data-driven and evidence-based education

Feb 29, 2024

Our world is on the brink of a precipice today, faced with an urgent choice between breakthrough and breakdown. Education, being central to Agenda 2030, is the key to swerving humanity away from this moment of uncertainty towards a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable future.

However, beset with the triple crises of equity and inclusion, quality, and relevance, education itself is in need of an overhaul. To equip our learners with the knowledge, skills, mindsets, and competencies required to thrive in an uncertain future, it is pertinent we embrace education for human and planetary flourishing. This would require us to take into account a whole-brain learner-centric approach supported by rigorous multi-disciplinary science and replicable evidence.

Evidence-based practice in education is important as it improves learning and retention and fosters a culture of growth and improvement for educators and learners with constantly evolving data and research backing effective strategies. It is a pivotal part of the response to bridging educational gaps in fragile contexts.

The classroom implementation of evidence-based practice, though, may be met with some challenges. Last week, we asked our readers what they perceive as the major obstacle to implementing evidence-based teaching. About one-third of our respondents cited the complexity of implementation, another third highlighted the overemphasis on quantitative data, while the rest of them identified resistance to change as the major obstacle in adopting evidence-based teaching methodologies.

As educators, in what ways can we overcome resistance to evidence-based approaches and promote their adoption within classrooms and educational institutions? What resources and support mechanisms are necessary to evaluate and adopt evidence-based teaching strategies critically?

Share your thoughts and experiences with your global peers in the comments below or join the conversation on the Global Citizenship Foundation’s Educational Leadership Community, exclusively dedicated to educators worldwide. If you haven’t signed up yet, please get in touch with us here.

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As a first-generation learner and educator, I understand the value of inspiring educators in the lives of learners; the most inspiring educators I've encountered in life are those who never stop learning. Together, let's embark on this incredible journey of learning and transforming education for human and planetary flourishing! Subscribe to Transform.Ed and be at the forefront of shaping the many futures of education!

In service of education and visionary education leaders,

— Aaryan Salman
Director-General
Global Citizenship Foundation