Teaching and Learning in the Twenty-First Century: What Is an 'Institute of Education' for?

As we begin the twenty-first century, schools and teachers are subject to enormous pressures for change. The revolution in digital technologies, the pressure to develop consistently high-performing schools systems, and the drive between excellence and equity all combine to raise profound questions about the nature of successful teaching and learning today. In his Inaugural Directorial Lecture, Professor Chris Husbands explores the extent to which teaching is changing in response to these external pressures and the implications for teachers, schools and learners. He asks what this means for research, teacher education and the nature of an "institute of education". Professor Husbands examines the past aspirations of the Institute of Education, University of London, summarises current worldwide education trends and suggests a way forward in order to re-align the relationship between an "institute of education" and the academic, policy and practitioner communities it serves. His new aspirations show how an "institute of education" can face the major challenges of education today and: (1) best respond to the social and economic context of educational provision in a global context; (2) optimise the organisation of schools as regards school improvement; and (3) achieve a step-change in the way it supports effective teacher practice. Professor Chris Husbands is Director of the Institute of Education, University of London. He has research interests in teacher education and education policy and has written widely on aspects of education policy and on curriculum and teacher development.