Innovative, vocationally relevant research and development
Ever since teachers and teacher training have been fully incorporated into the university degree structure, research and development activities have formed an integral part of the educational process at the School for Teacher Education FHNW. The thematic focus of the Institute for Educational Research and Development, part of the School for Teacher Education FHNW, is on research and development, with activities spread across five research centres.

The Institute for Educational Research and Development (IFE) at the School for Teacher Education FHNW (PH FHNW) directs its R&D activities at issues surrounding vocational education and training. Its programme centres on the acquisition of new insights and discoveries into, and new knowledge of the social reality of growing up and learning; the process involved in professional and interdisciplinary learning; school quality and education systems; and the causal relationships of a wide range of factors, activities and effects in the educational and didactic process. The IFE also develops teaching/learning resources and learning environments, which it then evaluates for effectiveness once these have been placed in the field.
The understanding gained with respect to the school and instructional settings, their framework conditions and impacts is then communicated to students and professionals in the educational and continuing education continuum and, to add value, blended with services directed at educational policy and administration, schools and other interested parties.