Institute for Educational Innovation

The António Aurélio da Costa Ferreira Institute for Educational Innovation exists to promote and to support (financially, logistically and scientifically) innovation in education, particularly in schools. The goal of this innovation is better education for all.
The Institute is named in memory of a renowned Portuguese educationalist of the early 20th century who fought to secure access to education for all children, regardless of their disadvantages or disabilities.
This principle continues to guide the Institute today.

• Devises, develops and supports innovative experiments in education;
• Examines needs and problems in learning, curricular development and school organization;
• Explores and develops the use of information technology and telecommunications in education, and more specifically media studies;
• Produces and certifies educational materials in various supports and media;
• Assists schools in carrying out self-assessment and project evaluation;
• Invests in the training of both teaching and auxiliary staff, including distance training;
• Helps in the formation of school networks, both real and virtual;
• Compiles, collates and makes available information relevant to education (innovations, studies, support materials, Portuguese and international databases);
• Conducts research into innovation processes (factors favouring or hindering innovation, development and dissemination; appropriate forms of supervision; theoretical examination of the concept of innovation etc.).

The Institute acts as a hub linking schools, administration, research and policy. It also contributes to decision-making in the various spheres in which it operates.

The IIE live, on the Net...
The IIE web page http://www.iie.min-edu.pt contains regularly updated information on the activity of the Institute, initiatives and innovations in schools, education research, projects and publications.
Some examples of the IIE's publications:

• Inovação - an educational review published thrice yearly.
• Noesis - a quarterly educational review distributed to practically every school in the country;
• Clip: Inovação em vídeos - a selection of school-produced videos (published thrice yearly);
• Teia - an electronic news digest based on the Internet news projects of schools up and down the country.

The IIE also publishes some 20 or 30 educational studies and support packs every year and has recently entered the field of e-publishing.

The Institute’s education archive is a valuable source of bibliographical information. Its databases - EDUCbase (bibliography), EDUCMULTIbase (multimedia materials), INVESTIGbase (national research projects), TESISbase (unpublished theses/dissertations) and PORTbase, on research and innovation in education are permanently updated. It also participates, as a national EUDISED agency, in the management of the European Education Thesaurus.

...and elsewhere:
The IIE represents the Portuguese ministry for education at various international organizations and institutes. It also takes part, in the same capacity, in committees, panels and other national and international consultative bodies. It represents Portugal at the International Institute of the Portuguese Language, and is a member of various international associations active in the education area.

Contacts:
Francisca Soares - mfsoares@iie.min-edu.pt
Manuel Pinto - campos.pinto@iie.min-edu.pt