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Journal of Educational Change

, Volume 14, Issue 2, pp 139–176 | Cite as

Exploring knowledge processes based on teacher research in a school–university research network of a master’s program

  • Frank Cornelissen
  • Jacqueline van Swet
  • Douwe Beijaard
  • Theo Bergen
Article
First Online:

Abstract

School–university research networks aim at closer integration of research and practice by means of teacher research. Such practice-oriented research can benefit both schools and universities. This paper reports on a multiple-case study of five participants in a school–university research network in a Dutch master’s program. The research question was: In what way is knowledge based on practice-oriented research by master’s students developed, shared, and used in school–university research networks in which education is primarily offered within a university setting? Twenty interviews were conducted, on the basis of logs, over a period of 10 months. Results show that (1) for master’s students, the most significant motive for developing, sharing or using knowledge was that the content knowledge about their research topic could be useful to school practice and colleagues; (2) research supervisors reported more than master’s students about the procedural knowledge that they had developed and shared. This knowledge focused on the collaborative process of supporting research and knowledge processes in school and university; (3) activities of knowledge sharing and use appeared to depend to a significant extent on individual purposes and leadership initiatives of master’s students and their supervisors; and (4) in the school–university research network, master’s students and research supervisors continued—to a limited extent—knowledge processes based on master’s students research after their graduation. Outcomes indicate that use of existing network structures in master’s programs is complex, but could be a promising avenue for creating successful school–university research networks.

Keywords

Networks Knowledge Teacher research Teacher education, master’s program School-university partnerships 
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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2012

Authors and Affiliations

  • Frank Cornelissen
    • 1
  • Jacqueline van Swet
    • 2
  • Douwe Beijaard
    • 1
  • Theo Bergen
    • 1
  1. 1.Eindhoven School of EducationEindhoven University of TechnologyEindhovenThe Netherlands
  2. 2.Teacher Training Institute for Special and Inclusive EducationFontys University of Applied SciencesTilburgThe Netherlands

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