scholarly journals Take a picture of religion: Engaging students in the multisensory study of lived religion

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
pp. 122
Author(s):  
Stefanie Sinclair ◽  
John Maiden
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Critical Evaluation ◽  
Local Environment ◽  
Religious Studies ◽  
Lived Religion ◽  
Sound Recordings ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Object Based ◽  
Multisensory Learning

This article investigates how different media (including digital photography and sound recordings) can facilitate students’ creative engagement with complex concepts in the study of religion, particularly those associated with a ‘lived religion’ approach. In doing so, it explores possibilities for object-based learning and multisensory learning experiences in Higher Education (see also: Chatterjee et al., 2015; Innovating Pedagogy, 2020; Kelly and Sihite, 2018; Medina, 2009). It adopts a case study approach, focused on the critical evaluation of a range of assessed and unassessed activities that form part of the undergraduate second year (Level 5) Religious Studies course ‘A227 Exploring Religion: Places, Practices, Texts and Experiences’ offered at The Open University (UK). These activities ask students to take photographs and make sound recordings of aspects of religion in their local environment and then share and discuss these with other students on an online platform. The findings of this study are of particular relevance to blended and distance learning settings (including socially distanced settings in the context of the Covid19-pandemic) in Higher Education, where opportunities for object-based, multisensory learning have been especially underexplored. However, they will be of interest to anyone looking for creative ways to engage students in the study of religion.

TIPs to Maximize Meaningful Professional Development Programs and Initiatives

2017 ◽  
pp. 593-615
Author(s):  
Stephanie L. Sanders ◽  
Mark P. Orbe
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Professional Development ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Diversity Education ◽  
Development Programs ◽  
Relational Dialectics Theory ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Professional Development Programs

At no other time in higher education have scholar researchers been called to demonstrate the value added of theoretically grounded diversity education. This signals the need for higher education to make deeper linkages between diversity education, learning outcomes and academic mission statements. By highlighting a few “TIPs” - attempts to move “theory into practice,” - the authors seek to answer the call to action. Through a case study approach the authors highlight a professional development program that fosters interactional diversity and serves as a catalyst for increasing awareness, mindfulness and positive organizational change. First, a diversity education initiative at a large mid-western university referred to as “The Institute” is described. Second, the theoretically grounded frameworks of anxiety/uncertainty management and relational dialectics theory is presented. Finally, the case study concludes by advocating for more robust professional development programs and initiatives that positively impact organizations. Implications for organizational leaders are discussed.

Coaching and mentoring in higher education institutions: a case study in Oman

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 307-322
Author(s):  
Ahmed Nawaz Hakro ◽  
Priya Mathew
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Middle East ◽  
Organizational Development ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Open Communication ◽  
Thick Description ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach

PurposeUniversities and higher education institutions (HEIs) are increasingly recognizing the value of coaching for professional and organizational development. This study is designed to investigate whether Cognitive Coaching, implemented as a programme in an HEI in Oman, made any difference to the behaviour and attitudes of employees holding leadership positions in academic, administrative and professional services departments. It also explored the factors that hindered or supported the coaching programme and offers recommendations to strengthen coaching initiatives in similar contexts.Design/methodology/approachSemi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were used to collect feedback from the 15 participants of the programme. A case study approach was adopted in this study for an in-depth examination of the effectiveness of coaching interventions.FindingsThe findings suggest that coaching can be an effective approach, facilitating personal and professional development and also contributing to the achievement of organizational goals.Research limitations/implicationsAs a case study of a coaching programme in a single institution, the findings of the study are not generalizable to other contexts, though a “thick description” of the context in which the study took place will enable institutions in similar contexts to draw lessons from the experience.Practical implicationsThis study discusses the benefits of a coaching programme for an HEI in the Middle East. Suggestions to strengthen coaching include board level endorsement and sensitivity to cultural nuances in coaching relationships.Social implicationsOne of the effects of a coaching programme is the collegial atmosphere that it can foster. This can have wider impacts on the community as there is more open communication and trust engendered amongst employers and employees belonging to different cultural backgrounds.Originality/valueThis study is one of the first to report the findings of a systematically organized coaching programme in an HEI in the Middle East.

scholarly journals Understanding the process of organizational change : a student affairs case study

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Joseph M. Hayes
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Organizational Change ◽  
Student Affairs ◽  
Student Life ◽  
Case Study Approach ◽  
Indiana University ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Start Date ◽  
Purdue University

The purpose of this case study is to describe the process of organizational restructuring and redesign within the division of student affairs at an institution of higher education. The study featured the process that occurred when the new Chief Student Affairs Officer (CSAO) arrived in the 07 of 2011 at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis and the subsequent redesign of the student affairs division. This study is important to the practice of student affairs because it provides insight into the redesign process that can typically only be obtained through experiencing it. The literature review I conducted includes a review of structural organizational theory, a breakdown of the various types of organizational structures, and an outline of the strengths and weaknesses of the current organizational forms currently used in higher education. This dissertation augments the existing literature through a case study approach to examine the process of organizational redesign. I used a qualitative within-site case study approach of the organizational change that occurred in the 07 of 2011 with the arrival of a new Vice Chancellor for Student Life at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis. I interviewed nine student affairs administrators present at the time of the change and reviewed documents concerning the change to come to my conclusions. This includes a detailed description of the chronology of the change process and a thematic analysis of the change that occurred. The primary implication garnered from this case study is that student demographics and needs should determine how a student affairs organization is designed. As an institution, IUPUI's student demographic has transitioned over the years to be younger and more traditionally aged, thus, the division of student life needed to be restructured to best support its changing students demographics. It is imperative that the design of student affairs organization match the needs of a campus student population. The secondary implication is the balance between input and decision-making when it comes to organizational change. Dr. Davenport used his limited time and influence between his hire and start date to build trust and gather input from numerous stakeholders. His actions were deliberate and sincere, but upon collection and analysis of the qualitative and quantitative data, a decision was made to make a change in structure. That decision occurred nine days into Dr. Davenport's tenure and set the tone for the upcoming year in the reconfigured division. CSAOs should be cognizant of the division and campus culture before taking the executive decision approach.

Academic Enterprise and Regional Economic Growth

2007 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 387-403 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Woollard ◽  
Michael Zhang ◽  
Oswald Jones
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Academic Staff ◽  
Higher Education Funding ◽  
Third Mission ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Academic Activities ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Uk Higher Education ◽  
Business Sectors

This paper examines the potential and actual contributions to regional development and growth that UK higher education institutions can make through their ‘third mission’ activities. The authors adopt a case study approach and qualitative methods to analyse the details of academic activities, especially those related to business sectors and the welfare of local communities. Their data and analysis show that university-wide academic enterprise activities are not systematically organized or coordinated. The very concept of ‘academic enterprise’ has not been well received by the majority of academic staff. The findings have two major policy and managerial implications. First, there needs to be a reduction in the reliance on income from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) in response to the progressive decrease in unit funding. Second, universities need to enhance employer-led curriculum development both through the creation of new businesses and by improving university-business links.

scholarly journals An Empirical And Qualitative Study Of The Strategic Planning Process Of A Higher Education Institution

2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chandra Aleong
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Relational Model ◽  
Case Study Approach ◽  
Higher Education Institution ◽  
Resource Based View ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Physical Assets

This paper discusses whether there are differences in performance based on differences in strategy. First, an attempt was made to determine whether the institution had a strategy, and if so, did it follow a particular model. Major models of strategy are the industry analysis approach, the resource based view or the RBV model and the more recent, relational model. The next step was determining whether the institution actually implemented the strategy by allocating resources. Finally an attempt was made to find out whether any of the models influenced the performance of one higher education institution and whether one model resulted in greater performance than another. Performance was defined as improvements in enrollment, operating surpluses, investments in physical assets and capital structure. The research design was the case study approach. The methods of analysis were qualitative, using content analysis, as well as quantitative. The results showed that there were significant differences in performance between the institution with the well-defined and implemented strategy and other institutions in the same religious and geographic classification. This research should add to the knowledge base in seeking to improve Higher Education.

scholarly journals Bureaucratic, Professional and Managerial Power in University Tenure Track Recruitment

2022 ◽  
pp. 371-402
Author(s):  
Tea Vellamo ◽  
Jonna Kosonen ◽  
Taru Siekkinen ◽  
Elias Pekkola
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Tenure Track ◽  
Case Study Approach ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Managerial Power ◽  
Technical University ◽  
Academic Merit ◽  
Professional Power

AbstractIn this chapter, our interest lies in analysing the different powers in recruitment and, particularly, how they are manifested in the new tenure track model in technical fields in Finland. Traditionally, recruitment in higher education has mostly relied on the bureaucratic application of processes and on academics, representing professional power, evaluating academic merit. The new university legislation, granting universities more autonomy in recruiting, has allowed the development of increasingly strategic recruitment models. The novel tenure track recruitment criteria exceed traditional notions of individual merits to include assessments of the strategic visions of universities and departments. We see the use of the tenure track model as a shift both in the recruitment for identity building related to the technical university’s strategy and as a shift in using more managerial power in recruitment. We use a case study approach where we look at recruitment in a similar field in two different kinds of universities utilising tenure track, and we examine how bureaucratic, managerial and professional powers are manifested in the processes. The comparisons are used to highlight the powers in the tenure track process in a technical university.

scholarly journals Lean Thinking in a UK University Law Clinic: A Reflective Case Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 171-203
Author(s):  
Alex Nicholson ◽  
Alireza Pakgohar
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Law School ◽  
Education Sector ◽  
Lean Management ◽  
Lean Thinking ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Complex Processes ◽  
Resource Intensity ◽  
The University

A law clinic typically involves staff and students in a range of complex processes that are highly resource-intensive and which have the potential to detract from core value-adding activities. This paper aims to highlight the challenges associated with resourcing a university law clinic, and evaluate the extent to which lean management is able to provide solutions. It is submitted that proactive and deliberate application of lean management philosophies to law clinic process design has the potential to both reduce resource intensity and enhance value. A literature review was conducted in order to identify lean management principles and methodologies that might be applicable. A case study approach was then used to evaluate key resourcing challenges faced by a UK university law clinic and to explore the extent to which lean thinking might help to overcome them. There is very little literature which discusses the application of lean thinking in the higher education sector, and none which considers the university law clinic context specifically. This paper will provide law school leaders with a resource that will enable them to evaluate and design their clinic processes more effectively, improving the wellbeing of clinic staff and enhancing the pedagogical value of clinic work for students. It will also contribute to the emerging body of literature which highlights the benefits of lean thinking within the higher education sector.

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