EARLI 2013 - 15th Biennial EARLI Conference for Research on Learning and Instruction

The conference theme responsible teaching and sustainable learning focuses on elementary issues that educational researchers investigate. Besides, it picks up EARLI’s twofold mission in researching learning and instruction and also connects to recent developments in educational research and practice.
We understand responsible teaching with respect to multiple and challenging educational goals, e.g., the development of knowledge and understanding, of interest and social competencies and of social engagement and problem-solving competencies. Besides, we focus the responsibility of teachers to provide powerful, motivating and social learning environments. Not only should teachers prepare learners for particular exams, but for being able to develop their character, being open minded and develop own ideas. In other words: teachers should be aware of their responsibility to create learning environments which make sustainable learning likely.
In focusing the sustainability of learning, we mean to highlight learning processes which are meaningful and useful, aware and reflective, focused on higher order skills and deep understanding. Sustainable learning is self-determined and in line with social, global, ecological responsibility, open-minded and a basis for learning across the life span. The concept of sustainability focuses the idea of a system ? e.g. an ecosystem ? remaining diverse and productive over time. For a psychological system to remain diverse and productive over time, learning is a crucial element. However, it is not understood that learning is sustainable! Often, learning is numb and focused on short term goals. To circumvent this is a challenge for every person involved in researching educational processes!
In sum, we believe that qualitatively ambitious educational research which is carried out in awareness of today's global challenges will contribute to improving teaching and learning by making it more responsible as well as more sustainable.
If you are attending the EARLI 2013 conference to share your research with the community, we encourage you to relate to this general theme of the conference and highlight how your work contributes to it.