The aim of the presentation is to show the value of constructivist approach (Vygotsky, Bruner) to the concept of innovation as a learning process, based on the author's analysis of 9-years old European Masters Program: ADVANCED Development in Social Work. The initial idea of introducing innovation as an experiment in the area of joint international study, proposed by five European universities, turned into a long-term transformative learning process (Mezirow), adopting the culture of innovation, with the aim for long-term change in higher education systems. It involves theoretical frameworks of participants' collaborative experience (Dewey) and cultural capital (Bourdieu). The study of this phenomenon, through program documents’ analysis, participatory observation and students' work evaluation, allows to assert that innovation concept incorporated into educational model, in long-term perspective, empowers participants of the process.
Program analysis confirms that the role of innovation in transforming higher education should be more closely studied and evaluated, as in the given case, it proved the transformative and pro-innovative learning of participants experiencing its processual modifications. The research identified the following phases’ characteristics: 1) initial phase (planning and implementing innovation), 2) maintaining phase (adaptation to become innovative, yet stable concept), 3) modernization phase (changes necessary to reshape aging innovation). All phases developed gradually, through micro-changes.
The presentation will conclude on the educational value of redefining the role of innovation as a collaborative learning process, making us rethink simple replication of business talk, and reflect on it from human development perspective.

Authors:
Agnieszka Naumiuk, University of Warsaw, Poland

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Agnieszka Naumiuk is a University Assistant Professor/Lecturer at University of Warsaw (currently at Dominican University as a Fulbright Scholar) in Poland

See this presentation on the full schedule – Saturday Schedule

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