Innovating in University Teaching Through Classroom Interaction

Abstract

Previous research has shown that the best educational practices are built on the basis of interaction in the classrooms, regardless of their level. However, the dialogue among the students themselves and between them and the teacher is still more scarce than desirable, especially in the university context. Taking this weakness into account, the authors of this contribution propose a Teaching Innovation Project (TIP) as a means of confronting the reality of this matter and advancing in it through an interdisciplinary collaboration involving 16 teachers, who participate as external observers, representing all the Faculties from the University of Cantabria (Spain). Here, we present the design of the TIP that we are currently developing, the working methodology and an advance of the first partial results. Specifically, each of the 16 people involved in this TIP will externally evaluate 6 teachers from their own field of knowledge. The aim is to identify varied interaction practices throughout the university. To develop this process we have designed three observation scales: one for students, another for the teacher in action and a third for the external observer. Data will be collected between October 2018 and May 2019. The ultimate goal is to promote innovation in university teaching through interaction in the classroom in order to achieve the active learning of the students. We hope to contribute to inspire other universities that may be interested in following our steps.