WERA-IRN 2019

WERA is an association of major national, regional, and specialty education research associations that is dedicated, among other things, to developing networks. The purpose of International Research Networks (IRNs) is to advance education research worldwide on specific scholarly topics. The WERA-IRN EXTENDED EDUCATION is a collaborative group of scholars working on this research topic.

The aim of the second WERA-IRN EXTENDED EDUCATION conference is to present, discuss and bring together different research perspectives and theories on goals and practices of Extended Education; and furthermore to explore the diverse concepts, ideas and paradigms governing Extended Education activities.

Sodra husen, Frescati. Foto Eva Dalin
Sodra husen, Frescati, Stockholm university. Foto: Eva Dalin/Stockholm university.

Extended Education can be perceived as a social practice as well as a discursive and aesthetic one. It can be emphasised as an educational practice with a caregiving dimension. It is culturally and historically constructed, with different developmental paths due to different traditions and societal expectations in different countries. The practice can be organised as a school-age educare centre, an all-day school or as an activity separate from a school’s regular classes, as in different forms of after-school clubs.

Theories underlying Extended Education evolve from a variety of academic disciplines, having different philosophical and practical ideas and assumptions about the development and growth of children and youth. Through various theoretical perspectives, we invite an academic dialogue that aims to compare and challenge differences and commonalities regarding concepts of child/youth and children’s and youth’s well-being, everyday activities, norms and affirmation to life among different countries and cultures. Moreover, due to different goals derived from different policies, whether hidden or explicitly expressed, the activities offered in the area of Extended Education are at variance.

Barn leker med kaplastavar.
Children playing with wooden bricks. Foto: Eva Dalin/Stockholm university

The question is from whose perspective the activities are chosen and in what ways they are designed? What perspective do we take when talking about activities? Is it the perspective of the children, the parents, the school or society?

Participants in the second WERA-IRN EXTENDED EDUCATION conference – Extended Education: Practice, theories and activities – will provide insights as they analyse fundamental elements of Extended Education worldwide, point out possible ways to develop the practice and activities from different perspectives, and suggest the specific theoretical and methodological approaches needed to promote research in this field.
 

We look forward to meeting you in Stockholm, Sweden!

Rickard Jonsson, Professor in Child and Youth Studies

Anna Klerfelt, Associate Professor in Education, specialisation School-Age Educare/Extended Education/

Anna-Lena Ljusberg, Assistant Professor in Child and Youth Studies

To be a member of WERA-IRN Extended Education go to WERA-IRN Extended Educations members and fill in the form.