Overview of the International Advisory Project and Reflections on International, Inter-Institutional Collaboration

• In Event: Translating teacher research to improved practice in the Bogotá, Colombia School District: Reflections on an international advisory experience

Abstract

The International Research-to-Practice Advisory Network brought together over 200 classroom teachers, the Bogotá School District, 16 Colombian universities, a US coordinating university, a Colombian NGO, and representatives of universities from North and South America dedicated to the improvement of classroom instruction and student learning. The challenges of coordinating and directing this network illustrate both the potential and pitfalls of cross-national, inter-institutional collaboration. Moreover, the substantial work and objectives of the project were intensified by an extremely compressed timeline of only seven months. The objective of this presentation is to describe the coordination and execution of IRPAN, as well as to offer lessons learned for future international, inter-institutional efforts to improve educational practice and student learning. The presentation first provides an overview of the objectives and design of IRPAN, followed by a description of the challenges of coordinating multiple actors and individuals. This discussion is framed and informed by literature on cross-national collaboration and cooperation in education, as well as research related to the role of NGOs in educational improvement. The presentation concludes with the presentation of a framework and set of lessons learned for international and inter-institutional practice-oriented projects in education.

Authors

• Giselle Navarro, Claremont Graduate University

• Cecilia Borges, University of Montreal

• Thomas Luschei, Claremont Graduate University