From theory to classroom: Innovation in teaching methods and faculty development in higher education

https://doi.org/10.53730/tcsie.v2n1.13

Authors

  • Pham Dinh Thang HaNoi University of Pharmacy, Hanoi city, Vietnam

Keywords:

higher education, teaching innovation, faculty development, Rational Choice Theory, Social Exchange Theory, active learning, Vietnam

Abstract

Higher education is at a pivotal moment, necessitating innovative teaching methods and robust faculty development to meet evolving global demands. This paper examines the integration of educational theories, such as Rational Choice Theory (RCT) and Social Exchange Theory (SET), into pedagogical practices to foster meaningful classroom change. By analyzing contemporary innovations like student-centered learning, flipped classrooms, and problem-based learning, the study highlights their potential to enhance student engagement and critical thinking. However, challenges such as institutional resistance, cultural barriers, and inadequate infrastructure, particularly in contexts like Vietnam, hinder widespread adoption. The paper underscores the critical role of theoretically grounded faculty development in bridging the gap between theory and practice, advocating for sustained, context-sensitive reforms to transform higher education. Findings suggest that aligning institutional incentives with educators' motivations and fostering collaborative academic cultures can drive sustainable pedagogical innovation.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Aboluwodi, A. (2015). Imperative of teaching critical thinking in higher institutions in Nigeria. Journal of Teaching and Teacher Education, 4(1).

Andersson, T. (2016). Rationality in educational choice: A study on decision-making and risk-taking in academic settings. DiVA Portal. Retrieved from https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2%3A945136&dswid=3518

Blau, P. M. (1964). Exchange and power in social life. John Wiley & Sons Inc.

Bonwell, C. C., & Eison, J. A. (1991). Active learning: Creating excitement in the classroom. ASHE-ERIC Higher Education Reports.

Brown, R., & Carasso, H. (2020). Higher education and the challenge of change: A critical review. Oxford University Press.

Cook, K. S., & Emerson, R. M. (1978). Power, equity and commitment in exchange networks. American Sociological Review, 43(5), 721-739.

Dasgupta, S. (2011). Two faces of active learning. Theoretical computer science, 412(19), 1767-1781. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tcs.2010.12.054

Herfeld, C. (2012). The potentials and limitations of rational choice theory: An interview with Gary Becker. Erasmus Journal for Philosophy and Economics, 5(1), 73-86.

Kennedy, M. M. (2016). How does professional development improve teaching? Review of Educational Research, 86(4), 945-980.

Knottnerus, J. D., & Guan, J. (1997). The works of Peter M. Blau: Analytical strategies, developments and assumptions. Sociological Perspectives, 40(1), 109-128.

Lovett, F. (2006). Rational choice theory and explanation. Rationality and Society, 18(2), 237-272.

Nguyen, V. H., & Pham, N. T. (2020). Innovation in Vietnamese higher education teaching methods – Approach from rational choice theory. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 8(12A), 7949-7956. https://doi.org/10.13189/ujer.2020.082583

O'Flaherty, J., & Phillips, C. (2015). The use of flipped classrooms in higher education: A scoping review. The internet and higher education, 25, 85-95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iheduc.2015.02.002

Porta, D. D., & Keating, M. (2008). Approaches and methodologies in the social sciences. Cambridge University Press.

Shanks, D. R., Tunney, R. J., & McCarthy, J. D. (2002). A re‐examination of probability matching and rational choice. Journal of Behavioral Decision Making, 15(3), 233-250.

Vanberg, V. J. (2004). The rationality postulate in economics: Its ambiguity, its deficiency and its evolutionary alternative. Journal of Economic Methodology, 11(1), 1-29.

Wallace, R. A., & Wolf, A. (1999). Contemporary sociological theory: Expanding the classical tradition. Prentice-Hall.

Yan, Z., Wang, T., Chen, Y., & Zhang, H. (2016). Knowledge sharing in online health communities: A social exchange theory perspective. Information & management, 53(5), 643-653. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.im.2016.02.001

Downloads

Published

2025-06-20

How to Cite

Thang, P. D. (2025). From theory to classroom: Innovation in teaching methods and faculty development in higher education. Tennessee Community Service International of Empowerment, 2(1), 33–43. https://doi.org/10.53730/tcsie.v2n1.13

Issue

Section

Articles