Innovators and Institutions Working as Partners on Sustainable Change

Abstract

(from the chapter) Curriculum renewal is a standing item on the strategic agenda for the higher education sector and its institutions. In the twenty-first century, this often involves innovative uses of elearning tools and contemporary pedagogy to support the flexible access to interactive, rich media learning resources that students have come to expect. Considerable funding and creative effort have been devoted to this agenda over many years. Yet a recent study of 22 high-profile elearning initiatives found innovators and institutions in direct conflict over the actions required to integrate new pedagogical practices into teaching and learning environments. These findings reflect the literature on educational innovations produced over many years. This chapter identifies common challenges faced by innovators and explores ways that universities could become more active contributors to sustainable curriculum change. Successful development of curriculum models for 21C learning depends on productive partnerships between innovators and other key players within their institutions. Attempts to fine-tune funding models to promote dissemination and sustainability have met with limited success. It is time to shift focus to the actions universities can take to accommodate and operationalize innovations and the additional steps that innovators can take to present compelling evidence that they should do so. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved) (chapter)