Research
The School of Education has an active research program which is outlined below. Projects and publications can be found in the outline of research interests and activities in the staff pages of this site.
The Research Vision and Values of the School are:
To maintain, at the best international standard attainable, high quality research that informs and is informed by the teaching program, and which is of special regional importance and/or of international significance.
To strengthen the School's reputation for providing excellent graduates through high quality courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels for local, national and international students.
To continue to develop innovative teaching especially in the professional education of teachers, with particular emphases on teaching in regional and remote areas and Indigenous communities.
School research areas
The School of Education has a number of well-recognised areas of research and postgraduate training, which attract teams of researchers and cohorts of students. Key focus areas include:
- Curriculum research
- Disability, special needs and education
- Education, thinking and cognitive development
- Education and society in new times
- Gender and education
- Indigenous education
- Information technologies, media and education
- Language, literacies and education
- Rural education
- School renewal, pedagogy and teacher development
Ideas for Post Graduate Research Projects
School-community links
Schools and communities link for mutual benefit in many ways. The concept of the environment as a common good requiring stewardship has been a catalyst for redefining relationships between schools and the communities. Links among schools, community groups and individuals are being formed in attempts to increase awareness and proactive participation in projects to do with the environment.
This research would
- investigate existing models of learning communities involving schools and community groups that have environmental concerns as their common purpose.
- trial new learning community models e.g., inclusion of mentoring
- investigate the role of social capital in the learning process
- investigate intergenerational learning
There are schools in Townsville with existing projects that have expressed strong interest in being involved in such a research study.
If you are interested in undertaking a doctoral study in this area please contact:
Dr Jo Balatti Phone: 47816970 Email: Josephine.Balatti@jcu.edu.au
Dr Margaret Gooch Phone: 47814946 Email : margaret.gooch@jcu.edu.au