Strategies for changing teaching practices in college

Abstract

Most changes taking place in universities concern teaching practices, a matter where teachers retain a large autonomy. This implies to be aware of the organisational dynamics and regularities in using particular teaching practices. The present paper analyses these dynamics and regularities within three Faculties of two Spanish universities where case studies have been carried out. From the data, the relative importance of different factors on the adoption of particular teaching practices is highlighted: type of course, staff ’s perception of the university’s mission, type of faculty and structural units. The paper concludes with a number of recommendations for engaging a process of organisational change within the university.