Researching while teaching: An action research approach in higher education

Abstract

In an interdisciplinary approach to improve faculty members' pedagogic competences in higher education at the University of Innsbruck (Austria), an action research type of programme proved helpful in meeting the participants' needs and interests. After an introductory session, individual projects were initiated, in which the participants undertook different approaches to action research by reflecting on their own teaching situation. As an ongoing evaluative process between individual inquiry-based phases of lecturing and reflective plenary sessions, the programme tried to offer deeper insights into the participants' own practical ‘theories˚s of what they intend to accomplish in the classroom and how they want to achieve these goals. Moreover, through its co-operative design, the action research approach played an important part in organisational development.