An interesting scoping study called "Data Repository for Teacher Education" (Australian Council of Deans of Education) was funded by the Carrick Institute In the beginning of the year. This is probably one of the first signs of a ‘serious’ e-research in Australian education.
Summary
The study will investigate and recommend on the role, nature, management and etc of a national data repository directed at quality improvement and efficiency in the initial and continuing education of teachers. The features of the national data repository will include:
- Includes data and information necessary to inform important decision-making related to teacher education, including evaluation of existing programs and the development of new courses, teacher workforce planning, etc.
- New collections of data are compatible with existing data collections.
- Has a research oriented data structure.
- Data is collected and maintained over the long term and integrated, i.e. documents trends and developments in programs, contexts, individuals, etc.
- Data is available in a timely manner (e.g., real time).
- Includes high quality ‘business intelligence’ software for interrogating and generating relevant reports for decision-making, etc.
- Has a web-based interface for deans and public access.
Full summary of the Proposal: URL.