Innovation in Education

Professor Doutor Pedro Reis

Innovation in the curriculum and in pedagogy, as well as in work processes and relations in educational organizations, is one of the main driving forces of improvement in our educational system. This new specialty of the Master’s in Education at IE-ULisboa is precisely directed at the development of knowledge and skills that promote and/or support the emergence and consolidation of innovative structures and practices, within the scope of the curriculum and pedagogy, of the organizational development of schools, of teacher’s professional development and of the relationship with the external environment.

This course is targeted at professionals linked to the school educational system – particularly teachers and educators, but also leaders of school and training organizations for teachers and for senior officials in educational administration – who are interested in updating their knowledge and in developing skills that allow them to respond appropriately and efficiently to the new challenges (whether local, regional or national) they face, through the introduction of innovative practices.

To achieve these purposes, during the 1st year, which is on site, Master students will attend curricular units centered on the following themes: innovation and school improvement; innovation and teachers’ professional development; curricular and pedagogical innovation; innovation in the ‘school-community’ relationship (among others).

The 2nd year shall include the development of a project work, especially carried out for this purpose and steered towards the implementation of innovation practices in education.

The Master’s in Education, specialty of Innovation in Education, is accredited by A3ES.

This Master’s in Education specialty aims:

• to qualify professionals and organizations for innovative action;
• to transfer the knowledge produced about innovation in education to the educational system.

To this end, pedagogical work is directed towards the development of extensive skills regarding the problematization, diagnosis, intervention and evaluation of innovative practices in educational organizations.

The following may apply to this course of studies:

• Holders of an undergraduate (licenciado) degree or legal equivalent in the scientific area of Education or in a similar area;
• Holders of a foreign university degree granted following a 1st course of studies organized in accordance with the principles of the Bologna Process by a State adhering to this Process in the scientific area of Education or in a similar area;
• Holders of a foreign university degree in the scientific area of Education that is recognized, by the scientific council of the Institute of Education, as complying with the aims of the undergraduate degree;
• Holders of a school, scientific or professional curriculum that is recognized, by the scientific council of the Institute of Education, as attesting the capacity to carry out this course of studies.