Digital technologies are widely used in Higher Education (HE) teaching, but recent European evidence suggests it is not always used effectively in teaching and that higher education institutions (HEIs) must ‘prioritize and recognize’ ongoing learning about the use of technology by their staff to make a positive impact on teaching, learning, & creative inquiry in higher education. This can only happen if HE teacher’s skills are improved to enhance pedagogies. Recent evidence suggest that this cannot happen in isolation, either within a university or an individual country, and needs to be developed through transnational cooperation between HEIs to ensure best practice and innovation is shared. This is particularly important with the development of open educational practices as the digital era becomes more pervasive and sophisticated. This does present challenges, but we also believe it presents timely opportunities for the ‘SHaring Open educational practices Using Technology For Higher Education’ (SHOUT4HE) project.
Wouter Hustinx