History of Research or Evidence-Based Education in the World

History of Research or Evidence-Based Education in the World

Research or evidence-based education is the practice of using research findings to inform educational practice. It is a relatively new concept in education, with its roots in the late 19th century.

One of the earliest pioneers of research-based education was William Wundt, a German physiologist and psychologist. Wundt founded the first psychology laboratory in the world in 1879, and his research on learning and memory had a significant impact on educational theory and practice.

Another early pioneer was American psychologist Edward Thorndike. Thorndike's research on animal learning led him to develop a theory of learning called connectionism, which emphasized the importance of reinforcement in learning. Thorndike's work had a major impact on the development of educational practices such as drill and practice and programmed learning.

In the early 20th century, there was a growing interest in applying scientific methods to educational research. This led to the development of new research methodologies, such as experimental research and quantitative analysis.

One of the most influential experimental researchers in education was John Dewey. Dewey conducted a number of experiments on the effects of different teaching methods on student learning. His research helped to establish the importance of active learning and student-centered instruction.

Another influential researcher was Benjamin Bloom. Bloom developed a taxonomy of educational objectives, which is a classification system for learning outcomes. Bloom's taxonomy is still widely used in education today to help teachers design effective instruction and assessment.

In the second half of the 20th century, there was a continued growth in educational research. This led to the development of a large body of evidence on effective teaching and learning practices.

Some of the key findings from educational research include the following:

• Explicit instruction is more effective than implicit instruction.
• Feedback is essential for learning.
• Students learn best when they are actively engaged in the learning process.
• Collaboration and cooperative learning can promote student learning.
• Differentiated instruction is necessary to meet the needs of all learners.

The growth of educational research has led to a greater emphasis on research-based education. In many countries, there is now a movement to adopt evidence-based practices in schools. This movement is based on the belief that schools should use the best available evidence to make decisions about teaching and learning.

There are a number of benefits to research-based education. Research-based practices are more likely to be effective than practices that are not based on evidence. This is because research-based practices have been tested and evaluated to ensure that they are effective.

Research-based education also helps to ensure that all students have access to high-quality instruction. This is because research-based practices are designed to meet the needs of all learners.

The following are some examples of research-based educational practices:

• Explicit instruction
• Feedback
• Active learning
• Collaboration and cooperative learning
• Differentiated instruction
• Graphic organizers
• Mnemonic devices
• Technology-enhanced learning

Research-based education is an important part of ensuring that all students have access to a high-quality education. By using research-based practices, schools can help students to reach their full potential.