Developing innovation in Teaching and
Learning
Developing innovation in Teaching and Learning
LTU corporate web editing and
A very introductory
publishingpresentation
by
Dr Peter Hill
Learning and Teaching Unit
University of South Australia
Developing innovation in Teaching and Learning
• Massification
• Globalisation
• Quality Improvement and an outcomes
oriented environment
“Teachers are
implementers
• New technologies and information
of policy
LTU corporate
web editing and
systems
reforms and
initiatives
• publishing
Employability
determined
• Performative (Prescriptive)
beyond the
classroom”
• Social changes
• Diversity of student body and entrance
pathways
• Fragmentation of the traditional
disciplines
The context of the 21st
Century University
Our response?
If we care about the intellectual role and
future of the university, as about student
learning, then our response will not be
LTUbut
corporate
web editing
and
resignation
a creative
approach:
publishing
• To solving the problems we can
• To seeking new perspectives
• And daring to take some risks
What’s in a word?
Dictionary:
Etymology
• To make
• Innovatus ‘renewed’
‘altered’
• To bring in something
new
• Cf
LTU corporate web
editing and
• To make changes to publishing
Renovate
anything established
“To innovate is not to
reform” (Encarta)
Innovation in Teaching and Learning
•Andrew Fraser (ACEL 2007): “The successful exploitation
of new ideas”
corporate
web editing
•Denise Leite*: LTU
“Innovation
happens
when and
teachers break
publishing
with the traditional approach
to teaching, when they break
with the paradigm of reproduction…”
•Einstein: “Innovation is not the product of logical
thought, although the result is tied to logical
structure.”
Innovation in Teaching and Learning
• Hannan & Silver: “Innovation is essentially about
changing things and the departure from the old ways may
be considerable, whereas enhancement often implies a
corporate
webalready
editing exists.”
and
gradual processLTU
building
on what
publishing
•Denise Leite: “It can be a transition, a search for new
configurations of knowledge and power, new ways of
relating being, knowing and doing…”
Two generations of innovation
• 1st Generation: An
entirely new idea (is that
possible?)
• 2nd Generation: The re-working
or enhancement of an idea or
the transfer of an idea/product
to a new context.
“Innovation is understood as either
a ‘first’ or ‘second’ generation
concept, and refers to an idea,
product, process or service that
adds value, is useful or transforms
current practice in the context to
which it is applied. ‘Firstgeneration innovators’ are those
who do or create something new
or different. ‘Second-generation
innovators’ are those who take an
innovation from one context and
replicate, adapt or transform it for
use within a new context”
(Definitions, UniSA Learning and Teaching
Grants)
Reasons most cited for introducing new methods
of Teaching and Learning
Hannan & Silver (2002) note:
The need felt by academics to improve student
learning
LTU corporate web editing and
Changes in the student
intake
publishing
The demands of external agencies
The need to cope with curriculum change
or other reorganisation
What encourages academics to innovate?
Hannan & Silver (2002) note that innovation occurs
when:
 the innovator feels a degree of security within an understood
community or cultural context, recognises the need for change and
has encouragement or support from the head of department, dean or
other person in authority;
LTU corporate web editing and
publishing
 the institution has a policy establishing
parity between research and
teaching and learning, including for the purpose of promotion, and the
policy is reflected in practice;
 colleagues and people in authority show an interest in
disseminating the outcomes of innovation;
resources are available through the department,
an innovations fund or similar fund, and an educational
development or learning support unit.
Context
Successful innovators understand the context in
which they work.
LTU corporate
web editing
and
“People need to engage
with their specific
context.
When that
publishing
happens, something new emerges...
New ideas are important
because they stimulate you. But not everyone is going to do the
same thing. Innovation takes place in the context of a
project. So the most important thing when it comes to
innovation is engagement with a particular context
(of the institution, the teacher and the student)”.
(Denise Leite)
Contextual issues
•
•
•
•
Institutional history
Structures & culture
Disciplines LTU corporate web editing and
publishing
Industry and professional
considerations
• Time
• Students
Challenges
• “If you're not failing every now and again, it's a
sign you're not doing anything very innovative.”
(Woody Allen)
Innovation means taking risks, and often overcoming obstacles, such
as:
• The subordination of T&L to research
• Lack of recognition and interest by colleagues and people in
authority
• Cultures that preclude individual initiative or discourage risk taking
• Silo mentality (leads to the ‘lone ranger’ approach)
• Excessively bureaucratic procedures for approval, support and
resources
A little exercise
Looking at the handout
What challenges do you recognise?
What innovative solutions have you
adopted?
Innovation requires evaluation
Evaluation must occur if a given innovation is to be accepted,
promoted and sustained. Our approach to evidence-based
practice must be as critical and as rigorous as that applied in
research
web editing and
What isLTU
thecorporate
practice/approach?
publishing
How does it fit into
a particular context?
What planning and conditions are needed for it to
work?
What are the results in terms of student
learning?
What is the impact on approaches
to teaching?
Innovation requires dissemination if it is to be
sustained
“Dissemination involves more than the distribution
of information or making it available in some
way. Dissemination also implies that some
action hasLTU
been
taken to
embed
corporate
web
editing and
and upscale the
project outcomes within
the immediate context
publishing
(e.g. the discipline, School or University), and/or
to replicate or transform and embed an
innovation in a new context.”
(Definitions, UniSA Learning and Teaching Grants)
Hannan & Silver:
“There was a problem with sustaining innovations. Even a
successful scheme could be shelved once other
departmental or institutional priorities asserted themselves”
LTU corporate web editing and
Hence:
publishing
 Embed practices - Information not enough
 Know context & stakeholders
 Have a communication strategy
 Pro-actively engage stakeholders throughout
the implementation period
 Keep clear, measurable outcomes to the fore
Swap shop
LTU corporate web editing and
publishing