Education thrives on change

Why is research important to education?

Think of it this way.  Imagine you have to see a surgeon to consult on a major and complex procedure. What if the surgeon said, “You’re in good hands. I’ve been doing this procedure the exact same way with the exact same tools for the past 40 years.”

That wouldn’t instill confidence in you, would it? You would likely be wondering what advances in surgery and medical technology could be missing. Surely, progress has been made over a span of 40 years!

The same principle applies to education.  The methods used to enable children and adolescents to learn future-facing skills to support teachers in their practice cannot remain static. Educational research continuously informs how we adapt and evolve these methods to meet the needs of today’s learners.

UTS Students with Dr. Tommy Porter, one of the original Masters at UTS
 

We know more than ever about how different people learn, about how our unique brains process and retain information, and about the positive (and the negative) role of technology in learning.  

As our understanding of learning, development, and society evolves, so too must the methods and tools we use to educate. The practices that once guided teaching and learning may no longer meet the needs of students now and in the future.  

Credit: Julie Riemersma

We know more now about the factors that influence learning, from the pervasive impact of technology and social media to the detrimental effects of bullying, racism, and other barriers to mental health and well-being.

And we now understand that students’ sense of belonging is impacted significantly by the relationship between academic achievement and a safe and inclusive environment.

All of this new knowledge comes from research.  

In the world of education, research changes how we teach in order to help students  learn. Since our founding in 1910, UTS has focused on connecting learning and research to ensure our students experience a world-class education.  Our research strength has a direct impact on our ability to offer programs at the forefront of educational innovation and effectiveness.  And this ability is tied directly to our connection to one of the world’s most prestigious research institutions, the University of Toronto and the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), U of T’s internationally respected faculty of education.

This partnership enables UTS to draw upon the latest advancements in fields such as learning sciences, mental health, and educational technology, and continues our longstanding position us as a leader in evidence-informed teaching and learning.

To deepen that connection, UTS worked with visionary donor Richard Ingram '61, who,  with his wife, Satoko Shibata, established the Eureka! Research Institute @ UTS in 2017.  The Institute formalizes our joint commitment to develop research-driven education, supporting the development of innovative teaching, learning, and assessment.

Satoko Shibata and Richard Ingram `61
 

UTS is one of the few schools in Canada to have a permanent research program on a university campus.  Powered by the generous support of Mr. Ingram '61,  and Ms. Shibata, the Eureka! Research Institute @ UTS fosters interdisciplinary inquiry and exploration, ensuring that our students benefit from a world-class educational experience grounded in research excellence. 

In the coming months, we’ll be sharing what Eureka! Research Institute researchers are exploring in educational innovation through feature articles on the Eureka! Research Institute @ UTS website.

Thank you for being part of the UTS community and supporting our ongoing pursuit of excellence in education. We are excited to share the impactful research and innovations emerging from the Eureka! Research Institute @ UTS.

Kim MacKinnon, PhD, Director, Eureka! Research Institute @ UTS

Leanne Foster, PhD Principal

#utseureka
#utsstories