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Cognition Institute Guidelines

Cognition Institute and Where To Next?

Operations Framework

On Saturday 31 October 2009 the Cognition Institute was launched at the Cognition Education Trust (formerly Multiserve Education Trust) 20 anniversary celebrations. The Cognition Institute has developed out of the Cognition Education Research Trust more commonly referred to as CERT. The Cognition Institute will continue to be funded by the Cognition Education Trust through the proceeds of Cognition Education Limited, New Zealand’s leading independent education services and consultancy provider.

The Cognition Education Trust primary purpose for launching the Cognition Institute is to broaden and deepen the Cognition Education Research Trust programme of work. The Cognition Institute will be Cognition Education Trust major philanthropic contribution to support improved education outcomes in New Zealand.

Commencing 2010, the organisation philanthropic ‘thinking research’ contribution to schooling in New Zealand will comprise four major elements:

The Cognition Institute Operations 'Map’

All research projects to be supported and commissioned commencing 2010 will be required to be identified, defined, scoped and described with reference to the following ‘map’:

Unpacking The Map

	NZ students perform well internationally Achievement gaps are evident within and between schools between the highest and lowest performers Cognition Institute intent is to influence both

	The Cognition Institute will work with networks to identify opportunities for improving knowledge, and understanding to raise student outcomes for all Opportunities identified by networks will be based on evidence Opportunities to be investigated and explored by the Cognition Institute will build on what is working effectively to improve student outcomes

	Grants and commissioning of work will focus on establishing new, and building on, existing ‘quality’ knowledge of what works well to improve outcomes for the diverse range of NZ students

	Grants and commissioning of work will also focus on ensuring sector (national and international - where appropriate) understanding of what works best for all students Findings (knowledge) from research and policy initiatives will be published, disseminated for use by all schooling groups The Cognition Institute will advocate for the use of findings in policy, research and practice contexts

	The focus for Cognition Institute commissioned research and research grants will be on those areas proven to have the most significant impact on student achievement – quality teaching, teacher education, effective leadership, student engagement and family and community engagement

	The Cognition Institute will involve practitioners, policy makers in the research process, understanding that alignment of policy, research and practice is essential to improve student outcomes Through quality research the Cognition Institute will seek to inform and influence strengthened and new policy and practice which is aligned and which supports the diverse range of NZ students to achieve to their potential

	The overarching intent of the Cognition Institute is to sponsor and/or commission quality research focused on the knowledge required to ensure all students in New Zealand have opportunity to reach their potential Research sponsored and/or commissioned by the Cognition Institute will proceed through definition, scoping, implementation and quality assurance of findings stages At each stage a wider group of people/organisations from the Cognition network will be involved as appropriate The composition of research teams will include experienced and credible researchers as well as people seeking to grow research capacity Where the research is being undertaken by one person, the Cognition Institute will ensure there is a critical friend, coach or mentor (as appropriate) working alongside the principal researcher The research cycle may be replicated more than once to ensure the quality and range of findings necessary to meet the diverse needs of NZ students, teachers, leaders, families and communities

	All Research projects will focus on applied research – which may be introduced in one or a group of schooling contexts As findings are proved, and knowledge established, deepened or broadened, the Cognition Institute will publish, disseminate and advocate for piloting and testing in wider contexts and then finally for the introduction of policy and/or practice which allow all students to access the knowledge and understanding This is turn may result in the identification of other opportunities for research

Completing and Deepening The CERT Research Programme - Advocating Use Of Research Findings

On overview of the 2009 CERT research programme can be can be sourced in the book: ‘A Journey of Discovery’ featured in the ‘Publications’ section of the Cognition Institute website.

On 29 October 2009 a symposium was facilitated with the current researchers and research teams undertaking applied research funded by CERT. During the symposium the researchers and research teams were invited to identify:

Findings which are promising, why and where to next
Findings which may present challenges to current research, policy and/or practice, why and where to next
Research, policy and practice opportunities for moving forward, why and where to next
What is unspoken about the topic, what should be said, why and where to next

Key points from each of the presentations were collectively discussed and mapped. That mapping then provided opportunity for the participants to move from discourse to recommended priorities for action.

The Cognition Institute Executive Trustee is now working with each of the researchers, research teams, and other appropriate people and organisations, to develop a quality programme of research completion, publication and dissemination for introduction during 2010. The research brief for each project to be supported will cover the essential points in the Cognition Institute ‘map’ (refer above).

Registration Of Interest In Grants For New Research Projects

A registration of interest has been developed, and is available on the Cognition Institute website, ‘Register for Research opportunities’, for people and organisations joining the Cognition Institute network with an interest in applying for a research grant to define, scope and then implement a new research project.

People and organisations with an interest in joining the Cognition Institute network should note that registrations of interest with a focus on: improving the quality of teaching, teacher education, school leadership, student engagement and participation, and community/family engagement in schooling, will receive priority (refer to the Cognition Institute ‘map’ above).

Research Scholar Awards

Fulbright (NZ) and the Cognition Education Research Trust have recently awarded Enosa Auva’a the 2010 research scholar award. Information on Enosa award can be found on both the Cognition Institute website: www.cognitioninstitute.org, and also Fulbright (NZ) website: www.fulbright.org.nz

Fulbright (NZ) and the Cognition Institute expect to have details on the process for research scholar wards to be made for study in 2011 available in early 2010. Information on the process and application forms for the awards will be made available on both organisations websites. Prospective applicants should apply using the Cognition Institute ‘map’ as a reference for the content of the application.

Identification, Scoping and Commissioning of Applied Research and Policy Focused on Key Challenges and Opportunities Associated With Schooling in New Zealand

To support the introduction of an innovative programme of quality commissioned applied research and policy, the Cognition Institute has commissioned 12 well known and credible New Zealand scholars and people, with an ongoing interest in education and schooling, to write an essay on: “Tomorrow’s Schools 20 years on....” Those essays can be sourced in the book with the same title featured on the Cognition Institute website in the ‘Publications’ section.

The authors of the essays and invited guests all attended a Cognition Institute facilitated thought leader symposium on 30 October 2009. During the symposium the authors, and invited senior school students from the Children’s Commission Young People’s Reference Group were invited to present and speak on:

Aspects of the ‘Tomorrow’s schools’ policy and practice framework which are promising, why and where to next
Aspects of the ‘Tomorrow’s schools’ policy and practice framework which may be presenting challenges, why and where to next
Research, policy and practice opportunities for moving forward, why and where to next
What is unspoken about ‘Tomorrow’s schools, what should be said, why and where to next

Key points were collectively discussed and mapped. That mapping then provided opportunity for the participants to move from discourse to recommended priorities for action.

The Cognition Institute Executive Director is now commencing to work with the appropriate authors, policymakers, researchers, practitioners, students, school sector and community representatives to prioritise, further define, and scope a quality programme of commissioned research and policy for introduction during 2010. The research brief for each project to be supported will cover the essential points in the Cognition Institute ‘map’ (refer above).

Further Information

The Cognition Institute is proud to be scoping and introducing each of the four elements described above.
Our intent in doing so is to involve and work alongside the diverse range of people and organisations in New Zealand and internationally with an interest in improving educational outcomes for students from schooling.

If you are one of those people or organisations, please contact us for further information.

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