Approaches to Research on the Improvement of Postsecondary Teaching and Learning. A Working Paper.

Research approaches to the complex issues related to college teaching and learning are discussed. Topics covered include: research itself (why improvement is needed, potential targets for improvement, types of research, and an integrated strategy for productive research); the learning activity; the teaching activity; learners; teachers; organization of postsecondary teaching and learning; and defining what is to be learned. Summary observations are offered that suggest complex interrelationships among mode of learning, method of teaching, learner attributes, teacher attributes, and organizational context. Recommendations are presented: (1) greater support should be provided for basic research, broader field testing, and improved translation for institutional researcher use; (2) institutional research offices should broaden their mission to include the translation and field testing functions; (3) policy researchers need to weigh more heavily basic studies and related field tests; and (4) both institutions and governmental agencies need to sponsor carefully structured evaluation research. (LB)