Innovating learning and teaching in higher education: bridging the gap between student and teacher learning / Innovación pedagógica en Educación Superior: tendiendo puentes entre el aprendizaje del estudiantado y el del profesorado

Abstract

The central argument in this paper is that there is a high need for innovation of teaching and learning practices in higher education. Research on student learning is currently largely disconnected from research on teacher learning, and this disconnection hinders successful innovation of educational practices. Research-informed, consortium-based innovation of teaching and learning is needed to overcome this challenge. Characteristics of high-quality student learning suited to meet the challenges of twenty-first-century higher education are presented. Main innovative pedagogies aimed at fostering high-quality student learning are identified and described. This raises the question of how to innovate current learning and teaching practices in a sustainable, research-informed way. It is argued that all innovative pedagogies imply a high need for teacher learning and development, and that educational innovations that neglect this need for teacher development are bound to fail. A multilayer model bridging the gap between student learning and teacher learning is presented. Examples of recent research connecting teacher learning, student learning and educational innovations are discussed. Finally, conclusions and implications for research are derived.