Center for Educational Innovation and Research Development (CEIRD)

Introduction

The Center for Educational Innovation and Research Development (CEIRD) is a hub for educators in the United States that supports and promotes best practices in learning and teaching, innovative andragogy, and emerging educational technologies in educating the learners of today.

CEIRD is dedicated to conducting high-quality research with a primary focus on education and training in the United States and globally to generate knowledge from qualitative and quantitative analyses rooted in data and evidence. Utilizing the knowledge we generate, the center actively facilitates policy discussions between both national and international researchers, policymakers, and practitioners through a series of workshops and policy dialogues held at both national and regional levels.

We foster continuous andragogic development through attention to research, and comprehension of the challenges and hopes of faculty and students. CEIRD facilitates individual meetings between faculty and a peer academic mentor to brainstorm to identify possible issues facing lesson implementation in the classroom and create a plan for implementing new strategies that work best for faculty and students. Furthermore, CEIRD strives to help students learn how to navigate their curricula through empowering them to take a new and more active kind of ownership over their own academic choices, and ultimately, to get the most out of their academic experience, no matter who they are or where they are in their educational journey.

In pursuit of our objectives, CEIRD maintain close collaborations with government agencies, educational and training institutions, civil society organizations (CSOs), and other pertinent stakeholders. This collective effort is to foster innovation and implement effective solutions in education and training. CEIRD’s core activities revolve around research, capacity development, and policy engagement. Currently, our key areas of focus for research encompass educational technology, skills development, the advancement of quality education, and the promotion of inclusive education, spanning from K12 to higher education.

The CEIRD is committed to support and develop IIU faculty through collaboration. By offering a variety of services, which promotes effective, inclusive, and innovative teaching? CEIRD grounds its services in evidence-based practices. These include, but are not limited to the following: professional training programs, individual consultations; classroom observations; feedback sessions; syllabus reviews; as well as knowledge co-creation related to general and specific teaching questions. We strive to empower teaching goals, and help faculty determine how they can best include innovative technology in the classroom to meet their goals.

Mission

The mission of the Center for Educational Innovation and Research Development (CEIRD) is to support innovation in learning, teaching and assessment through enhanced curriculum development. We encourage and guide academic staff within program teams to innovate in: teaching, learning and assessment; and critically consider the use of digital tools and educational technology as part of a holistic curriculum design process.

We will work in partnership with academics and students to review and refresh our curricula and create a distinctive offer, while supporting colleagues to develop new and innovative undergraduate and postgraduate programs informed by the needs of a range of stakeholders.

We will enable staff to deliver stimulating teaching leading to the highest possible levels of student learning and satisfaction, investing in resources to support continuous innovation.

Vision

Through our strategic and operational leadership of the Center for Educational Innovation and Research Development we will be considered the “go to” service for educational development, recognized as thought leaders in our discipline areas and valued as a central institutional partner bringing our expertise to: teaching, learning and learner support; assessment; curriculum development and design; and educational technology discussions, activities and strategy.

CEIRD will undertake this work via three key approaches, ensuring that we are:

Informational - (providing access to information and resources for all of our internal and external partners).
Developmental - (supporting the development of individuals and teams through our events, workshops and webinars).
Influential – (utilizing our expertise and networks to influence policy, process and strategy in achieving our vision).

Through our partnership approach we will build long-term relationships, add to and support the work of others and seek to be a valued critical friend.

Specific Objectives

Objectives and scope of the Center:

To become a nerve center of the University in terms of ideas, creativity and innovation.
To promote research on educational management and administrative processes.
To generate knowledge by undertaking evidence-based research and innovation activities for education
To systematically document and integrate knowledge and skills generated at the workbench for all levels of education.
To enable and motivate forces behind operation, expansion, strengthening, updating and modernization of teaching, research and consultancy in formal and informal education.
To apply the experience obtained through implementation of educational innovation towards strengthening of manpower training.
To provide education policy formulation, planning and implementation
To pool interested manpower in the University as well as manpower from outside.
To create facilities and environments for interested faculty from within as well as from outside universities and educational organizations to do research on educational innovations.
To upgrade institutional capacity in educational sector
To organize certain specific programs like practice school, vocational courses for other educational institutions who wish to implement such innovations.
To organize special programs for the use of educators, planners, administrators and managers so as to enable the latest theory and practice in different disciplines and functional areas to reach all sections of manpower in government, education, business and industries.
To spread and share research experiences and information
To organize seminars, symposia and workshops.
To create software to analyze all these data.

Goals

To disseminate and share experiences, ideas and information of educational importance by organizing conferences, seminars, workshops and by publishing reports, journals and newsletters
To facilitate educational policy formation, planning and implementation
To develop the human resources required for implementing educational programs
To generate research-based knowledge by undertaking research and evaluation activities as well as innovative experiments in various aspects of formal and non-formal education
To carry out research projects considering the link between education and development,

Strategy

In furtherance of center strategy we will:

Conduct (and build capacity for) pedagogic research and evaluation as relevant to CEIRD, including digital pedagogy and educational technology.
Support and encourage individuals and teams within academic and professional service units to innovate and experiment in: teaching, learner support and assessment; the use of educational technology
Provide pedagogical leadership and support in the design, development and implementation of institutional policy, strategy and systems in support of student education and engagement, (with due regard to sector practice, and on the basis of appropriate horizon scanning, experimentation and evaluation)
Contribute to the planning and delivery of staff development programs and recognition schemes in academic practice, including the use of digital tools and educational technology
Support communities of practice of CEIRD educators within academic and professional service units to share knowledge and experience
Support faculties and schools to develop, review and revise curricula and programs which will be attractive in the University’s priority markets and an asset within a planned portfolio
Provide pedagogical leadership to diversify and increase flexibility within the design and delivery of the portfolio, including online, blended, work-based, campus-based and part-time provision
Source and disseminate educational developments and lessons from effective educational practice elsewhere (e.g., via open and bespoke workshops and online resources) and share excellent practice from within IIU internally and externally (e.g., via networking, conferences);

Standards of Teaching Excellence

Teaching excellence is a set of practices designed to maximize or increase the likelihood of student learning, and can best be manifested and recognized by innovative andragogy applications which are based upon the scholarship of teaching and learning research.

CEIRD identifies the following seven virtues that showcase standards of excellence in teaching:

1. Strong Organizational Skills, Evident in Class Structure

Makes use of educational technologies to give students access to course materials, grades, and other feedback
Effectively regulates learning by organizing activities, implementing routines, and manages time, behavior, and participation
Adopts lesson plans that are in line with learning objectives and involves an evaluation of students’ prior knowledge, instruction, application, and group reflection on what was learned
Utilizes flexible class management strategies and classroom design that spur student engagement in class and
Encourages self-regulation so that students can evaluate their own progress and revise their tactics;

2. Innovative Student-Centered Andragogies that Ensure Students’ Engagement

Directs students to university support services to ensure their long term academic success.
Establishes learning goals for course exercises and problems that are challenging but attainable
Promotes critical, analytical, and creative thinking
Cultivates a belief that learning from mistakes and unsuccessful attempts advance knowledge and comprehension
Promotes the idea that ability can always improve; and
Promotes student discovery, curiosity, and self-directed learning;

3. Respectful and Supportive Student-Teacher Relations

Promotes professionalism in students by setting high standards for thoughtful, moral, and responsible conduct
Demonstrates acceptable conduct in all professional interactions and expects others to do the same
Encourages the development of professional identity through the use of discipline-specific language and professional ethics by students
Recognizes the imbalance of power between professors and students, and treats them with respect and
Demonstrates a dedication to learning by putting forth effort and enthusiasm during the educational process;

4. Commitment to Personal Andragogic Self-Reflection and Professional Development

Dedicated to enhancing the andragogic techniques used as determined by the outcomes of assessment and evaluation and
Strives for ongoing teaching and course design development by implementing best practices based on research.

5. Professional Competence, Expert and Inspiring Knowledge of One’s Discipline and Subject

Promotes student involvement in inquiry and research.
Employs active learning techniques to encourage skill development and mastery
Encourages student involvement in classroom dialogue and peer-to-peer knowledge-sharing, feedback, and cooperation
Encourages the application of knowledge and problem-solving abilities to actual situations
Makes use of contemporary, disciplinary scholarship that is guided by theory, research and evidence and
Sets examples and mandates the usage of various media and technology in line with learning experiences and objectives;

6. Appropriate Assessment and Timely Provision of Feedback

Employs formative assessments to assess student progress, and summative exams to assess mastery
Upholds fair and uniform policies for course administration that are appropriate and in line with CEIRD policies
Specifies expectations and learning goals
Adjusts instructional practice based on findings from formative and summative assessment, and students’ presented works
Employs transparent assessment procedures with the measurement of data connected to learning objectives
Delivers relevant, timely, and regular feedback based on performance standards;

7. Strong Explanatory Skills, Evident in Clarity and Student Learning

Employs deductive teaching methods instead of inductive teaching methods wherever applicable in class
Strives to simplify complex topics before indulging in the details
Uses concrete examples, and physical resources or models as well as diagrammatic and virtual models to enhance student understanding; and
Poses questions that encourage students to investigate their own approaches to learning the material instead of following the instructor;

Areas of concentration

The areas in which the Center concentrates are:

Planning and implementation of examination reforms
Design and restructuring of educational programs
Course development - Preparation of text books, teaching materials, teaching aids
Computer software development for educational administration and infrastructural facilities
Purchase and upkeep of Educational Hardware
The new methods of vocational training
Development of Distance Learning Programs, particularly in Science & Technology areas
University-Industry linkages
Development of new methodology for educational and cultural advancement of the socially disadvantaged
Computer software development for student records, time-table, admission process
Basic school to higher education
Curriculum, instructional materials and pedagogy
Educational governance, organization, management, administration, monitoring and evaluation
Non-formal education, early childhood development, religious and indigenous education
Development of educational human resources
ICT and education
Teaching workshops for upgrading teaching skills
Purchase and upkeep of Educational Hardware
The new methods of vocational training
Adult education
Science education
Methodology of faculty development
Systems approach to educational operation and correlation between cost of education and efficiency of education
Preparation of feasibility project and status reports on specific topics
Offering services in the acquisition of equipment, library books, journals and experts for new institutions in the country and abroad
Evolving new norms for innovations in new universities in the developing countries
Counseling of students
Preparation of feasibility project and status reports on specific topics
Offering services in the acquisition of equipment, library books, journals and experts for new institutions in the country and abroad
Evolving new norms for innovations in new universities in the developing countries
Counseling of students
Computer software development for student records, time-table, admission process
Basic school to higher education
Curriculum, instructional materials and pedagogy
Educational governance, organization, management, administration, monitoring and evaluation
Non-formal education, early childhood development, religious and indigenous education
Development of educational human resources
ICT and education
Teaching workshops for upgrading teaching skills
Adult education
Science education
Methodology of faculty development
Systems approach to educational operation and correlation between cost of education and efficiency of education

Research

IARSAC International University is a new kind of research-led international university, where researchers are committed to pursuing high quality academic research. IIU brings together researchers from around the globe to explore new discoveries and generate scientific breakthroughs. The University offers the creative and supportive environment for the Center for Educational Innovation and Research Development (CEIRD) researchers to deploy knowledge in a wide range of fields and specialties. The excellence and diversity of our research span dozens of departments, schools/ academies, and affiliated institutions. Researchers at CEIRD collaborate across disciplines to meet societal need and tackle local, national and global challenges.

The Center for Educational Innovation and Research Development (CEIRD) is developing research carried out in the United States and for the development of the developing countries. By focusing resources and activities we develop interdisciplinary research-based focus fields.

The Center brings together the shared expertise of research and practice to develop leadership, improve schools, and advance equity. We foster collaborative partnerships for the purpose of promoting advancements in professional education, developing innovative solutions for current thorny problems of practice in education, and supporting collaborative research in public schools. Our aim is to ensure that faculty expertise meets the needs of the schools and districts while keeping equity at the center of our work.

Research Strategies

CEIRD aims to bring together the best practice from its parent university, IARSAC International University, and aspires to be a leading research-led university that combines a strong international profile with an unswerving commitment to the economic and social development of Delaware and globally.

At the core of its five-year research strategy CEIRD will concentrate on:

developing research programs
setting up a research infrastructure
strengthening research activities
nurturing a spirit of enterprise
facilitating the generation of intellectual property
promoting knowledge transfer

The CEIRD’s research strategy commits to developing the physical and cultural environment necessary to build on its own and its parent university’s current strengths. CEIRD aims to establish an international profile based on world-class, cutting-edge research and to provide a framework for action through sharply focused key research themes and centers.

CEIRD orientates itself towards applied research, aiming to enhance Delaware’s research infrastructure and gain crucial support from the government. CEIRD’s research strategy is kept under active review and evolves together with the development of academic programs. It will be measured by its feasibility, focus and sustainability.

Key Research Areas

Education Technology (EdTech) in Developing Countries: Strengthening Decision Makers’ Capacities for Appropriate EdTech Use

Project Description

The Educational technology (EdTech) is a broad term encompassing tools and resources used in various aspects of education. Its global rise, particularly in developing countries, offers potential solutions to educational challenges. However, while EdTech promises tailored solutions, policymakers need a deeper understanding of its effective and sustainable implementation. Despite extensive research, a clearer picture of its impact and optimal use is still emerging.

This project aims to generate concrete evidence, develop capacity-building instruments, and build a community of practice that can enhance and empower developing countries education decision-makers' capabilities in understanding, assessing, developing, procuring and/or evaluating the effectiveness of EdTech products and services. To achieve this objective, the two-year project will encompass a scoping study, the development and digitalization of the EdTech framework and toolkit, the implementation of two case studies on EdTech assessment and monitoring and evaluation, and the provision of the EdTech ecosystem training series.

Project Objective

Enhance capacity among decision-makers and facilitate knowledge exchange and collaboration between the United States and developing countries by providing a series of training programs centered on optimizing the tested EdTech Framework and Toolkits and disseminating research evidence and lessons learned through various publications with accessible formats and platforms, leveraging both local, regional, and international research networks.
Conduct a Situation Analysis to identify specific educational challenges and goals and to map existing EdTech efforts and assess their life progression.
Develop an EdTech Framework and Toolkits centered on assessment, development, deployment, and monitoring and evaluation, and pilot them through two case studies of promising or emerging EdTech interventions.

Lifting Barriers: Educated Girls for Gender Equality

Gender norms and disparities in education impact both boys and girls. In the developing countries, more girls are out of school, and their learning performances are also decreasing compared to boys. These issues affect educational attainment and societal gender equality. CEIRD recognizes the importance of addressing gender disparities in education and has initiated efforts to understand and tackle the root causes of girls' underperformance, aligning with global commitments to achieve gender parity and inclusive education.

Study 1| Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality Research (ITGER)

To explore the scaling potential and barriers of Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality Research (ITGER) in the United States and in other countries.
To identify key components and enabling factors of ITGER effectiveness
To determine the extent to which ITGER increased boys' school engagement, learning, and the promotion of gender-equitable attitudes, values, and behaviors.

Study 2| Girls’ Disengagement from Education: Case Study of Developing Countries

To document and evaluate promising policy and interventions aimed at improving girls’ educational outcomes, assessing their effectiveness in specific contexts and potential for wider application.
To identify and analyze the structural and gender-related determinants impacting girls’ educational outcomes at individual, familial, community, school, and societal levels.
To review the current situation related to girls’ educational participation, learning achievement, and completion.

Gender-Responsive Pedagogy (GRP) on Students' Learning: A Case Study of Developing Countries

This project is part of the Center for Educational Innovation and Research Development‘s multi-year research program aimed at improving the overall understanding of the impact of Gender Responsive Pedagogy (GRP) and its potential to improve learning outcomes for both boys and girls. CEIRD will conduct a research study on "Students’ Learning and the Use of Gender-Responsive Pedagogy." The study will identify GRP as a good pedagogy because it is an approach to teaching and learning that pays attention to the needs of both boys and girls. It is also a powerful tool to entrench gender equality in and through education. The first-phase of the study will also identify limited evidence regarding the impact of teachers’ attitudes, use of gendered language, and practices; thus, CEIRD will conduct more research needed in this area to inform education policy and enhance the implementation of GRP.

Furthermore, CEIRD will conduct a follow-up study with teachers as the key focus this year. The study will explore teachers’ knowledge, attitude, and mindset around gender and how they translate into experience and achievement for boys and girls in the classroom.

To examine school leaders’ support for gender equity in the broader classroom environment.
To explore students’ learning experience in relation to teaching practices.
To investigate the impact of teachers’ knowledge, attitude, and mindset on gender-related practices in the classroom.

Other Focus Areas of Research

Educational Innovation

The whole world's education sector is facing changes. Teaching and learning must adapt to the 21st century circumstances: the changing labor market, the rapidly renewing information environment, a society that expects more proactivity and creativity. Considering the historical role of the Center for Educational Innovation and Research Development as a center of teacher education, we are one of the emerging leaders of American educational innovation.

We are developing theoretical thought, as well as implementing and mediating contemporary ways of learning and teaching. We see education as a process that influences the consistent development of a person and facilitates his or her development into a responsible individual.

Digital and Media Culture

Digital media has developed into a branch of the economy that has the most influence on societal processes. In the increasingly digitized multi-platform world, digital literacy has become inevitable to be able to learn, interact with the surrounding environment, consume services and media (products) and create new values.

The Center for Educational Innovation and Research Development supports clever use of the options within the digital world, creativity and its resulting innovativeness, which give a competitive advantage to the individual, the institution and the country.

We are leaders in promoting digital literacy, studying the impacts of human-computer interaction, and developing digital didactics and study aids.

Cultural Competences

In an increasingly globalized world we are open to cultural, political and economic influences arising from different societies, their historical developments and traditions.

The knowledge of American history, preservation and development of the American language and national culture require more extensive competences than before. At the same time we need to be able to embrace the new and value the old in the process of interacting and mediating with different cultures.

The Center for Educational Innovation and Research Development develops an American society that values languages, cultures and creativity. We create opportunities for the development of the American cultural sphere in the wider social context and for the participation of every member of the society within our culture.

Healthy and sustainable lifestyle

We support the development of society and well-being of the ageing population. Intelligent, research-based choices for developing a healthy lifestyle and a sustainable way of thinking help to reduce the burden on nature, pressure on the social services and the demands to the healthcare sector.

We contribute to the development of attitudes that value a healthy lifestyle and sustainable way of thinking. We are partners in developing an evidence-based lifestyle and recommendations for environmental organizations.

Society and Open Governance

Contemporary society is characterized by growing uncertainty, fragmentation and mutual dependency. Coping with these changes requires renewal of governance, institutions and the legal system.

The Center for Educational Innovation and Research Development helps governance, institutions and the legal system cope with the new world and offers research-based and innovative solutions for public services, politicians, legal practitioners and non-governmental organizations.

School Improvement

Using an improvement science approach and an equity lens, we help school systems and their stakeholders build shared understandings about how their systems work and what actions can be taken to improve performance. Improvement science is a problem-solving approach centered on continuous inquiry and learning. Change ideas are tested in rapid cycles, resulting in efficient and useful feedback to inform system improvements.

Leadership Development

We support leadership preparation and development through a number of programs offered at the College of Education, including the School Systems Leadership Doctoral Program and the School Improvement Leadership Certificate program to help Maryland school districts prepare and support high quality leaders. We also work directly with schools, school districts, and state education agencies to build the capacity of teacher leaders, school leaders, and district leaders through training and networked improvement communities.

Research Partnerships

We view partnerships as an important approach to building knowledge and tackling education problems within the context that they exist. Over time, we believe that research conducted through partnerships between universities and school systems will result in improved learning for that school system, and in new and better insights for improving K-12 education broadly. Our goal is to use the knowledge and expertise of researchers and practitioners to help solve real problems in schools; influence policy and practice; and improve education for students, educators, families, and communities.

Growth, Engagement, and Influence

The Center ambitiously pursues a growth and engagement agenda, including expanding partnership work at state and national levels. This work expands the University’s presence as a local and national leader in education policy, research, and practice and promotes collaboration among Institutes of Higher Education and state and local education systems to advance effective K-12 education improvement. With the support of university research, the Center strives to collaborate and work with national educational organizations, philanthropic foundations, and government agencies to champion, advocate, and advance the efforts of practitioners for the purpose of collective impact.

Services

Teaching Consultations

CEIRD consultants are available to work with you to find creative, flexible, and practical solutions for your instruction. Consultations are private, non-evaluative, and free of charge. Send us a question via email, meet with us once, or collaborate on an on-going basis.

Topics include:

assistance in identifying or developing resources for your unit related to teaching and learning
active learning and student engagement
assistance in spoken academic English and resources on cross-cultural considerations in teaching
flexible course design and syllabus development
creating and maintaining community among students
specific teaching techniques, activities, and assessments

Educational Research and Evaluation

CEIRD supports the scholarship of teaching and learning by exploring the nature and effects of educational innovations undertaken at the IARSAC International University.

Start collaboration with our research consultant for advice and assistance with:

conducting campus-wide research into the impact of digital learning technologies and other teaching and learning innovations
evaluating course-level innovations and
assessing department- and college-level educational initiatives.

How our expertise can support your educational research project

Planning

Selecting a research methodology and data collection methods appropriate for answering research questions
Defining research questions
Preparing an overall research or evaluation plan
Conducting literature reviews and benchmarking exercises

Implementation

Testing instruments for validity and reliability
Developing data collection instruments
Managing research and evaluation projects
Conducting data collection

Analysis

Collaborating, organizing, analyzing, and interpreting project data

Teacher Retention
Mentoring for novice educators
Novice Educator Community of Practice
Mentor Forum
Experienced Educator Community of Practice

Equitable Systemic Change

High-quality, educator-driven, culturally responsive systems of support
District Design Teams to research and address problems of practice centered on equity
Professional learning opportunities
Program Evaluation
Data collection
Analysis
Continuous improvement
Benchmarking
Capacity building
Needs assessment
Stakeholder involvement
Recommendations
Progress monitoring
Data Analysis
Written reports and presentations to stakeholders
Strategic Planning
Development, facilitation, and analysis of:
Surveys
Focus groups
Empathy interviews
Community Engagement
Analyzing and reporting results
Development, facilitation, and analysis of:
Surveys
Focus groups
Empathy interviews
Alignment with Integrated Guidance
Written reports and presentations to stakeholders
Data Coaching
Provide guidelines on conducting data team meetings
Provide assistance in:
Identifying areas of challenge
Implementing change
Measuring progress
Evaluating effectiveness of change
Assist in implementation of school/district level data teams

Grant Writing

Measurable outcomes
Submittal assistance
Co-development of grant proposal and budgeting
Identify funding opportunities
Co-development of measurable metrics
Alignment with district goals
Assistance with establishing project/program once funding awarded

`10. Teacher Recruitment

Partner with district HR offices
Collaborate with school districts to address educator workforce needs
Provide bilingual supports
Connect with aspiring candidates to provide individualized guidance and support