Innovating Political Science Education

Abstract

This is an extraordinary time for the teaching of political science at all levels. From big data to on-line initiatives and from cross-national, virtual learning partnerships to new approaches to curricular and co-curricular learning, political science faculty and organizations are innovating to match the major challenges and changes of our times. This panel presents a panoply of approaches (and methods) examining innovations that can make a difference. It includes work on on-line learning (whether flipped classrooms or MOOCs) and on innovations incorporating research in classrooms. It also covers cross-cultural innovations and questions regarding assessment of learning outcomes in innovative settings. The panel will also tackle key questions in examining innovations in political science education including whether the innovations discussed actually become routine or a regular part of Political Science teaching and learning. We will moreover explore what factors contribute to achieving this institutionalization and what emerging approaches (such as virtual reality for simulations) hold potential for political science educators in the decade ahead.