ROUNDTABLE: How to Nurture and Support Innovation in Political Science Learning and Teaching

Abstract

We all like variety – not doing the same things all the time. We also appreciate novelty: if someone engages us in an enterprise that is positively surprising, creative and enriches our knowledge and experience. This is why students love classes that are different from what they have experienced before. Yet, designing a class that uses an innovative learning method is always tricky because of the inherent risks that students will fail to understand or appreciate the new method or will not learn well due to some unforeseen difficulty. The purpose of this Roundtable is to discuss how institutions can encourage and support teachers to introduce new teaching and learning methods for the benefit of student learning. It aims to answer several central questions, including: What are the pin-up teaching and learning methods that fit well the needs of the current generation of students? What are their effects on student learning? Who are the frontrunners in providing first-class learning opportunities: are they traditionally recognised universities or can we see new champions of teaching and learning who use novel learning methods? What does 'innovative teaching' mean in different contexts: does it count as innovative if a teacher applies a method that is frequently used at another institution or in another country? What are the best ways for institutions to inspire and support teachers to innovate in their classes as well to recognise those teachers for their leadership role? The Roundtable will gather a group of political scientists known for their role as innovators and supporters of colleagues’ innovations, along with educational developers whose role is to assist and guide teachers while improving students' learning experience. The Chair and Speakers will provide examples of teaching innovations from those included in Gabriela Pleschová's latest book (written with Agnes Simon, Masaryk University) and from elsewhere. The Roundtable should result in a publication in an academic journal. Roundtable organised in cooperation with the ECPR Standing Group on Teaching and Learning Politics