The innovative development of WKSU is carried out both through the modernization of the university’s overall activities in the areas of monitoring and analysis, methodological work, informatization of education, etc., and through the introduction of innovations in teaching methods, which include active student involvement in the educational process (interactive learning) and the use of information technologies.
1. Main directions of modernization and innovative activity of WKSU
The main directions of modernization and innovative activity of the university are defined by the Action Plan for improving university performance based on the results of institutional accreditation, the University Development Concept until 2020, the requirements for quality of international educational assessment networks and foreign accreditation agencies, and the plan of innovative and methodological work of the university.
The Action Plan предусматривает:
- introduction of distance learning technologies at all levels and forms of education to ensure free access to educational services;
- improvement of the content of elective courses based on labor market demands;
- development of international exchange programs for students and faculty;
- international accreditation of educational programs.
To implement the recommendations of the External Expert Commission, the following decisions were made:
- to establish curriculum and elective course committees in each institute/faculty and expand their composition by involving leading преподаватели;
- to create a forum on the university website for discussing educational program content;
- to introduce systematic training of academic advisors to support and monitor individual learning paths;
- to coordinate internship schedules with leading practice bases;
- to improve employer survey procedures to better identify program requirements;
- to introduce the practice of coordinating elective course catalogs with employers;
- to improve mechanisms for analyzing learning outcomes, etc.
In accordance with international requirements and the university’s innovation plan, the following areas are being developed: improvement of monitoring and analysis systems, methodological innovations, informatization of education, and preparation for international accreditation.
The following processes are monitored and analyzed:
- Analysis of planning and management effectiveness
- SWOT analysis
- Monitoring of students’ intellectual development
- Compliance with national education laws and standards
- Improvement of faculty performance evaluation
- Assessment of student and faculty attitudes
- Evaluation of social well-being
- Analysis of stakeholder requirements
- Evaluation of administrative performance
- Academic performance analysis
- Analysis of underperformance causes
- Evaluation of teaching quality
- Quality management system
Innovative activities include:
- dissemination of advanced teaching practices;
- training seminars for faculty;
- innovation project competitions;
- development of double-degree programs;
- improvement of elective course catalogs;
- creation of video lecture databases;
- broadcasting lectures;
- development of multimedia teaching materials;
- production of educational films;
- development of educational media content;
- improvement of e-learning platforms;
- automation of educational processes.
To meet accreditation standards, the following indicators must be improved:
Research potential:
- funded research projects;
- publications in national and international journals;
- research centers linking science and industry.
International cooperation:
- participation in international programs;
- double-degree programs;
- involvement of foreign professors;
- academic mobility;
- joint research projects.
2. Requirements for innovative teaching methods
Innovative methods are defined as those based on modern scientific achievements and information technologies aimed at improving education quality by developing students’ creativity and independence.
These include:
- use of information resources and databases;
- electronic and multimedia textbooks;
- alignment with best international practices;
- interdisciplinary approaches;
- active and experiential learning;
- interactive methods;
- case studies;
- project-based teamwork.
Levels of interactive teaching competence:
- Reproductive level
- Adaptive level
- Problem-based level
- Game-based level
- Experimental level
Interactive methods correspond to levels 3–5.
Evaluation of teaching competence is based on classroom analysis, including content, methodology, organization, and outcomes.
Use of information technologies includes:
- educational software and computer-based learning;
- electronic textbooks and multimedia materials;
- interactive boards and projectors;
- development of information resource databases.
