Research-informed teaching of adults : a worthy alternative to old habits and hearsay?

Abstract

How and why teachers teach the way they do is central to understanding the impact of education on learners. While many professions have integrated research findings into their practitioners’ practice, education’s record is less consistent in this respect. This paper outlines the case for teachers to become research-informed in their teaching (RIT). It firstly considers what is involved in being research-informed, what types of research are most relevant, why it warrants consideration as well as issues associated with it. It then reviews RIT in the New Zealand context and particularly in relation to teaching adults. Finally, the paper looks at how an RIT approach might be implemented.