| Summary: | 2007-09 Innovation Education and Practical Use of Knowledge was introduced into the Icelandic National Curriculum for compulsory schools in 1999, where it is defined by the curriculum writers as a "school subject" but is not allocated any direct time in the recommended guidelines for subjects. This paper describes a master's research project from the University of Iceland, Faculty of Pedagogy and Education which focuses on how Innovation Education emerged in Iceland and how the subject has developed; what makes the subject special; and what factors, internal and external, have influenced its dissemination. The paper will include an overview of the data collection and analysis methods and an overview of the findings. In Innovation Education it is assumed that everyone can be creative and the emphasis is on enhancing creative activities of students through direct connections, to everyday life. Educational innovations based on this kind of approach have struggled against the strong underlying factors inherent in the institutional culture of education. There are several factors influencing the implementation of the Innovation Education curriculum in Iceland, and whether or not it is maintained. As identified by this research, these factors include the role of teachers and their professional philosophies; school culture; the role of the head teacher; assessment; emphasis on academic learning; and access to information and teaching materials. Diverse research methods have been utilised during this research. The bulk of data collection can be categorised as having used qualitative methods; statistical methods such as questionnaires were used to measure the dissemination of the subject. Interviews and observations were used to gather data from students, teachers, head teachers, pioneers in Innovation Education, entrepreneurs and ministry officials. Documentation of various kinds was also consulted, including reports, laws, curriculum, teaching materials and products from Innovation Education lessons. The research ...
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