linking innovation in teaching and learning with educational research (in higher education)

The University of Sydney Page 1

Linking Innovation in Teaching and Learning with Educational Research (in Higher Education)

Presented byLina MarkauskaiteFaculty of Education and Social WorkCentre for Research on Learning and Innovation

@ University of Oslo, 27 September 2016

The University of Sydney Page 2

Outline: Four contexts . . . + 1

1. Innovation → X ← Research @ Australia2. T&L Innovation ← ? → Research @ Australian HE3. T&L innovation ← X→ Research @ the

University of Sydney 4. T&L Innovation → X ← Research @ CRLI

The University of Sydney Page 3

Big picture

Source: http://innovation.gov.au/page/national-innovation-and-science-agenda-report

The University of Sydney Page 4

Big picture

Source: https://theconversation.com/australias-innovation-problem-explained-in-10-charts-51898

The University of Sydney Page 5

Broad context

Source: http://www.industry.gov.au/innovation/Pages/default.aspx

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Broad context

– The National Innovation and Science Agenda 

– $1.1B AUD– 24 initiatives– 4 years

(from 2015 Dec)

Source: http://www.industry.gov.au/innovation/Pages/default.aspx

The University of Sydney Page 7

“The value” of education in Australia

Exports from international education in 2014–15 • $17.1-$19.7 billion• ~5.2%• 3-4 largest export• the largest service

export• 1.3% additional

employment

The value of international education to Australia, 2016

Source: https://ministers.education.gov.au/pyne/education-exports-hit-record-176-billion

The University of Sydney Page 8

No 1: What is Innovation @ AU?

“Everyone can innovate ... ”

“Innovation generally refers to changing processes or creating more effective processes, products and ideas”

. . . implementing new ideas, creating dynamic products or improving your existing services.

. . . does not only mean inventing.

. . . should be an in-built part of your business strategy, where you create a culture of innovation and lead the way in innovative thinking and creative problem solving.Source: https://www.business.gov.au/info/run/research-and-innovation

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Innovation in Higher Education (...closed)

Source: http://www.science.gov.au/education/Pages/programmesDirectory.aspx

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1. Academic standards 2. Assessing equivalence of

qualifications and learning outcomes

3. Assessment and promotion of student learning

4. Designing learning for the future 5. Employability skills for the future

6. Improving institutional pathways across higher education

7. Improving access to and outcomes in higher education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

8. The contemporary PhD

No 2: What is Innovation @ HE?

Source: http://www.olt.gov.au/grants-and-projects/innovation-and-development

The University of Sydney Page 12Source: https://sydney.edu.au/education-portfolio/ei/awards/educational_innovation_grants.htm

The University of Sydney Page 13

1. . . . must have a significant impact on students’ learning outcomes

2. . . . should transform the learning experience

3. . . . includes development OR adoption of novel approaches

4. . . . may target development of Sydney graduate qualities, or support career transition into employment/further study

5. . . . not necessarily application, adoption or development of new technologies

6. . . . is not intended to fund educational research

No 3: What is Innovation @ USyd?

The University of Sydney Page 14

The University of Sydney Page 15

No 4: What is Innovation @ CRLI?

The University of Sydney Page 16

A starting point: Design-Based Research

• Grounded in theory and research• Implemented in real-world

settings• Addressing theory-building and

practice innovation• Interactive, participatory• Iterative, flexible• Integrative (mixed methods)

Middleton et al, 2008

Also other emerging approaches for producing “principled-practical knowledge”

Bereiter, 2014

“A systematic but flexible methodology aimed to improve educational practices … leading to contextually-sensitive design principles and theories.”

(Wang & Hannafin, 2005, p.6)

Design &

Refine

Implement &

Observe

Analyse &

Theorise

The University of Sydney Page 17

Bootstrapping approach: Educational innovation & research as “innovation & research”

A. Issue-specific innovations Solution of an issue A

B. Capacity building innovations: theories, principles, tools, etc.

Improvement in how A gets done

C. Innovation of innovation: innovation & research methods, techniques, technologies,

etc. Improvement of capability to improve A and

BBased on: http://www.dougengelbart.org/vision/paradigm-map.html

The University of Sydney Page 18

CRLI: Research knowledge creation as an intrinsic part of practical innovation 1. Innovation → X ← Research @ Australia2. T&L Innovation ← ? → Research @ Australian HE3. T&L innovation ← X→ Research @ the

University of Sydney

4. T&L Innovation → X ← Research @ CRLI

The University of Sydney Page 19

No 5: What is Innovation @ Learning?

Lina MarkauskaiteCentre for Research on Learning and Innovation (CRLI)University of Sydney

Lina.Markauskaite@sydney.edu.au

Room 581 @UiO

Book available at: http://www.springer.com/gp/book/9789400743687Website: https://epistemicfluency.com