Keynote for the 12th Research Students' Education Conference

2. What fuels pedagogic innovation?
12th Research Students’ Education Conference, University of Leeds, 22 May 2018
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/99/Monarch_butterfly_Caterpillar.
jpg
Chrissi Nerantzi ,@chrissinerantzi
#RSEC2018
Twitterpoll

3. The plan
•Who am I
•Discuss pedagogic innovation in
higher education
•What could institutions do to foster
pedagogic innovation
#RSEC2018

4. Where are we now?
•Who am I
•Discuss pedagogic innovation in
higher education
•What could institutions do to foster
pedagogic innovation
#RSEC2018

5. https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.6110033,-
8.8601238,3416532m/data=!3m1!1e3
My journeys so far
#RSEC2018

6. Where are we now?
•Who am I
•Discuss pedagogic innovation in
higher education
•What could institutions do to foster
pedagogic innovation
#RSEC2018

7. Build a model that shows what a pedagogic innovator does
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/20/Lego_dublo_arto_alanenpaa_5.JPG
#RSEC2018

8. “Today,
innovation means
anything,
everything… and
nothing.” (Godin,
2015)

9. http://www.flickr.com/photos/almarams/3902611177/
Kids love καινοτομίες
(innovations)
But it is dangerous for
traditions, the state, threatens
status quo, stability!

10. “The major domains involve different
modes of inquiry, different rules/symbols,
different ways to generate new knowledge,
and different disciplinary cultures and
historical developments. This suggests that
before one can be creative, one must first
master the respective discipline.”
(Blessinger & Watts, 2017, 7)
Does this also apply to innovating in teaching?
#RSEC2018

11. The Cognitive Domain and Bloom’s Taxonomy
11
evaluation
synthesis
analysis
application
comprehension
knowledge
creating
evaluating
analysing
applying
understanding
remembering
Bloom’s Taxonomoy (1956)
Anderson and Krathwohl Revision (2001)Educational Psychology Interactive: The Cognitive Domain
Is this problematic?
#RSEC2018

12. “Learn the rules
like a pro, so you
can break them
like an artist.”
Pablo Picasso
“If you don’t
know the rules,
you don’t know
not to break
them. The
amateur doesn’t
fear failure.”
(Kessels, 2016,
43)
#RSEC2018

13. Is there hope?
By Gail Spencer
#RSEC2018
#RSEC2018

14. C
Wo what is going on? Little-c and big-C (Csikszentmihalyi, 1997)
#RSEC2018

15. Evolution
new ideas from existing ideas
Synthesis
combination of existing ideas
Revolution
brand new ideas
Re-application
existing ideas in new light
Changing direction
new path when old doesn’t work
Creative methods (Harris, 1998)
#RSEC2018
Isaac Newton
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wi
kipedia/commons/5/50/Sir_Isaac
_Newton_by_Sir_Godfrey_Knell
er%2C_Bt.jpg
If I have seen
further it is by
standing on the
shoulders of
giants…

16. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4111/5201275209_d20346c3ec_b.jpg
Diffusions of Innovation Bell (Rogers, 1962)
#RSEC2018
“The paradox of innovation is that it is
accepted as an innovation when it has
become imitation.” Piero Scaruffi

17. Pedagogic Innovators project
with Barbara Thomas
Survey: 148
What is pedagogic innovation?
What are the conditions that make it happen?
#RSEC2018

18. “It is a new way of teaching, unlike those commonly
used; it is bespoke and surprises students. Consequently,
it heralds a change driven by a transitory adaption to
pedagogical objectives and the new student profile. It
stems from a reflection that is pedagogical, intellectual,
creative, psychological and sustained, and that shapes
itself progressively through a multi-level and multi-impact
process linked both to the audience and the discipline or
the technology and that aims to improve quality, like a
desire to make the subject understood and foster
success.”
#RSEC2018
A definition of pedagogic innovation (Walder, 2014, 200)

19. Purpose not clear >
experimentation
Purposeful > desired outcomes, change
New “Someone who tries a new
approach.”
“Someone who brings different ideas and approaches to
their teaching - who tries to do things differently.
Someone who looks for new ways to make the learning
more effective and engaging.”
New
outside
disciplinary
tradition
“Someone who experiments,
breaks moulds, tries new things
and approaches, particularly ones
which might be unusual for the
discipline”
“Someone who is prepared to step out of traditional
approaches in order to enhance student engagement
and learning.”
Novel “An individual who questions
traditional educational convention
and thinking, and develops new
concepts and processes.”
“A willingness to try new things, to challenge the
boundaries of existing pedagogies and to risk new
teaching and learning strategies with the outcome of
improved learning for students.”
Using
technology
“Trying out new ways of doing
staff training using learning
technology.”
“Someone who tries new things, new practices, new
technology (but not necessarily technology-related), in
order to enhance learning or address a known problem.
Also, someone who uses those new ways to implement
old ideas, or new theories about teaching and learning,
or who uses new methods to teach new, evolving and
emerging themes and topics.”
What does a pedagogic innovator do?
#RSEC2018

20. Nerantzi & Thomas (to be submitted)
#RSEC2018

21. n=148
#RSEC2018

22. Individual
By Gail Spencer

23. “Someone who is prepared to put enormous effort
and energy into trying to achieve something in spite
of the challenges and barriers. Who does not give up
when things do not work out but learns from the
experience and tries again. Who is self-critical and
analytical about their own performance. Who reflects
on and learns from their and other's experiences”
Respondent 5
“I take a lot of career risks (innovating in spite of
resistance), changing jobs as often as necessary to
stay engaged and empowered.” Respondent 136
#RSEC2018

24. Others
By Gail Spencer

25. “A network of like-minded souls to discuss ideas
with. This requires some institutional support (which
in my case is lacking, to a large extent - I innovate
despite my institution not because of it).”
Respondent 84
#RSEC2018

26. Institution
By Gail Spencer

27. “Right now, what I really want is to be influential
enough to be able to continue shaking up the
university systems to make them take teaching
seriously, to reward those who do it well, and to
value it. I don't really mind if that involves promotion
or not, but I do recognise that professors tend to get
taken more seriously than those of us who are not -
so ideally, a Chair would be nice. But if not, just
having the ear of those who are powerful, and
being able to influence them.” Respondent 84
#RSEC2018

28. Nerantzi & Thomas (to be submitted)
#RSEC2018

29. Where are we now?
•Who am I
•Discuss pedagogic innovation in
higher education
•What could institutions do to foster
pedagogic innovation
#RSEC2018

30. #RSEC2018

31. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ae/WU_Wien%2C_Library_%26_Learning_Center%2C_Zaha_Hadid_009.JPG/800px-
WU_Wien%2C_Library_%26_Learning_Center%2C_Zaha_Hadid_009.JPG
What do institutions do?
Big investment in physical spaces
“… large scale investments, for example in building
projects and refurbishments, may not be particularly
effective in improving student satisfaction.” (Burgess,
Senior & Moores, 2018, online)
#RSEC2018

32. Institutional push as well?
“… there is a strong encouragement from all quarters
for innovators to find cost-effective practices.”
(Cowan, 2006, 138)
#RSEC2018
https://images.pexels.com/photos/47047/gold-ingots-golden-treasure-47047.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&h=750&w=1260

33. Purpose not clear >
experimentation
Purposeful > desired outcomes, change
New “Someone who tries a new
approach.”
“Someone who brings different ideas and approaches to
their teaching - who tries to do things differently.
Someone who looks for new ways to make the learning
more effective and engaging.”
New
outside
disciplinary
tradition
“Someone who experiments,
breaks moulds, tries new things
and approaches, particularly ones
which might be unusual for the
discipline”
“Someone who is prepared to step out of traditional
approaches in order to enhance student engagement
and learning.”
Novel “An individual who questions
traditional educational convention
and thinking, and develops new
concepts and processes.”
“A willingness to try new things, to challenge the
boundaries of existing pedagogies and to risk new
teaching and learning strategies with the outcome of
improved learning for students.”
Using
technology
“Trying out new ways of doing
staff training using learning
technology.”
“Someone who tries new things, new practices, new
technology (but not necessarily technology-related), in
order to enhance learning or address a known problem.
Also, someone who uses those new ways to implement
old ideas, or new theories about teaching and learning,
or who uses new methods to teach new, evolving and
emerging themes and topics.”
But what drives innovators?
#RSEC2018

34. https://images.pexels.com/photos/247851/pexels-photo-247851.jpeg?w=940&h=650&auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb
So how could institutions do?
#RSEC2018
“The institution, […] retains a major and decisive impact [on
pedagogic innovation] embodying the role of an orchestra
conductor, who can constrain, at leisure, their musicians to play
the tune of their choosing. “ (Walder, 2015, 15)

35. The Greenhouse at Manchester Met (Nerantzi, 2016), Open cross-
boundary communities (Nerantzi, 2017, Nerantzi & Gossman, submitted)
1. Supporting communities
“Above all, there needs to be an institutional
community of practice for educators, which provides
a supportive and encouraging environment for
people who wish to innovate within their teaching.”
Respondent 60
#RSEC2018

36. 2. Greenhousing
“Freedom to experiment;
more time and space for
reflection. Free up space in
the timetable for
experimentation.”
Respondent 90
#RSEC2018
The Greenhouse (Nerantzi, 2016)

37. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/99/Monarch_butterfly_Caterpillar.
jpg
3. Investing in people…
“Innovators are people who create and
innovate regardless of whether there is a
strategic change initiative they are the key
resource for leading bottom-up change and to
changing institutional culture.” (Jackson, 2014,
41)#RSEC2018

38. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ed/Common_tiger_butterfly.jpg
Open your wings and fly!
… so that they can transform…
#RSEC2018

39. OPEN CALL!!!
Special Issue: Discovering
innovative application of
LEGO® in Learning and
Teaching (Nerantzi & James
eds.)
#RSEC2018

40. Bateson, P. & Martin, P. (2013) Play, playfulness, creativity and innovation. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Blessinger, P. & Watts, L. S. (2017) History and nature of creative learning, in: Blessinger, P. & Watts, L. S. (eds.) (2017) Creative Learning in higher education.
International perspectives and approaches, Oxon: Routledge, pp. 3-13.
Bloom, B. S. (1984) Taxonomy of Educational Objectives Book 1: Cognitive Domain, 2nd edition. New York: Longman.
Brookfield, S. (2017) Creative approaches to stimulate classroom discussions, in: Watts, L.S. & Blessinger, P. (2017) Creative learning in higher education.
International perspectives and approaches, London: Routledge, pp. 159-176.
Cowan, J. (2006). On becoming an innovative university teacher. Reflection in action. The Society for Research in Higher Education. 2nd edition. Maidenhead: Open
University Press.
Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1997) Creativity: Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention, Harper Perennial
Jackson, N. J. (2014). The Wicked Challenge of Changing a University Encouraging Bottom-up Innovation through Strategic Change. Accessed from
http://www.creativeacademic.uk/uploads/1/3/5/4/13542890/__the_wicked_problem_of_changing_a_university.pdf on 26th March 2018
Godin, B. (2015) Innovation contested: The idea of innovation over the centuries, London: Routledge.
James, A. & Brookfield S. (2014) Engaging Imagination. Helping Students become creative and reflective thinkers, San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Nerantzi, C. (accepted) The playground model revisited, a proposition to boost creativity in academic development, in: James, A. & Nerantzi, C. (eds.) (work-in-
progress) The Power of Play, Palgrave, submission deadline of book manuscript May 2018.
Nerantzi, C. (2016) Using Ecological Metaphors to Represent Professional Growth: Our extraordinary ‘Greenhouse’, its creative academic gardeners and the
growing of pedagogical ideas, in: Exploring Creative Ecologies, Creative Academic Magazine, Issue 5, September 2016, pp. 64-70, available
at http://www.creativeacademic.uk/magazine.html
Nerantzi, C. (2017) Towards a framework for cross-boundary collaborative open learning for cross-institutional academic development. PhD thesis, Edinburgh:
Edinburgh Napier University, available at https://www.napier.ac.uk/research-and-innovation/research-search/outputs/towards-a-framework-for-cross-boundary-
collaborative-open-learning-for
Nerantzi, C. & Gossman, P. (submitted, Feb18) Cross-boundary communities, an alternative vision for academic development, Compass Journal, London: University
of Greenwich, in February 2018, https://journals.gre.ac.uk/index.php/compass
Nerantzi, C. & Thomas, B. E. (work-in-progress) What fuels pedagogic innovation, seeking journal at the moment
Rhodes, M. (1961) An analysis of creativity, The Phi Delta Kappan, Vol. 42, No. 7, Apr., 1961, pp. 305-310, Available at http://www.jstor.org/stable/20342603
Robinson, K. (2009) The Element. How finding your passion changes everything, London: Penguin.
Trendence UK (2018) Value for money: the student perspective, London, available at https://studentsunionresearch.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/value-for-
money-the-student-perspective-final-final-final.pdf
Walder, A. (2014) The concept of pedagogical innovation in higher education, in: Education Journal 2014; 3(3): 195-202, Available at
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Anne_Walder/publication/301687758_The_concept_of_pedagogical_innovation_in_higher_education/links/572216dc08ae
e491cb32db25.pdf
Walder, A. (2015) Obstacles to innovation: The fear of jeopardising a professorial career?, in: British Journal of Éducation Vol.3, No. 6, pp.1-16, June 2015, available
at
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Anne_Walder/publication/301687800_OBSTACLES_TO_INNOVATION_THE_FEAR_OF_JEOPARDISING_A_PROFESSORIAL_CA
REER/links/57221abe08ae262228a5ca90.pdf
References

41. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ed/Common_tiger_butterfly.jpg
#RSEC2018
What fuels pedagogic innovation?
12th Research Students’ Education Conference, University of Leeds, 22 May 2018
Chrissi Nerantzi , @chrissinerantzi
Thank
you!