The Wizards of OZ / Supporting Change in Learning and Teaching

Abstract

University teaching has always been an activity reflecting two quite contrary challenges, namely the motivated acquisition of knowledge and skills versus a proof a professional abilities documented by examinations and degrees. This strange mixture of demands was met over centuries by canonical forms of teaching and learning: lectures, exercises, seminaries and practical training, followed or accompanied by examinations. While societies were under a strict pressure of technological change during more than two centuries, the teaching environment was kept stable to an astonishing degree.