Innovating teaching methods: a step towards a smart, sustainable university.

The guiding principles, philosophy, tasks, and communication solutions for innovation in teaching activities were the topics discussed between the Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, and communication officers at a meeting on July 18, 2019.

Attending the meeting were Vice Director of VNU Hanoi Pham Bao Son; and representatives of the leadership/communications officers of units throughout VNU Hanoi.

Innovating teaching methods – an urgent task in the new era.

Innovating teaching methods is an urgent task in the current period, affirming the position and brand of Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU). Explaining why VNU chose to innovate teaching methods as a key task not only in 2019 but also in subsequent years, Director Nguyen Kim Son said that in the context of fundamental and comprehensive educational reform, including higher education, we need to innovate many aspects, including university governance, learning materials, processes, programs, output standards, accreditation, and quality assurance... However, he believes that if done well, innovation in teaching methods will have a strong ripple effect on all other aspects of the process.

The fact that Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) focuses primarily on innovating teaching methods does not mean abandoning the student-centered philosophy. Rather, this approach elevates the student-centered philosophy to a new level and expresses it more profoundly. This is the path to enabling teaching to adapt to the digital age, developing a smart, sustainable university, or University 4.0.

Currently, universities are beginning to implement educational technology and apply new technological achievements to teaching in a strong manner. The ASEAN University Network (AUN) has also made many recommendations during accreditation processes at Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) regarding the innovation of teaching activities by lecturers. At the same time, Director Nguyen Kim Son also stated that, through exchanges and learning with universities in the group of leading educational institutions worldwide, VNU recognizes the need for greater determination in improving the quality of university governance, teaching quality, and the quality/impact and effectiveness of teaching activities on students. Teaching innovation must be implemented systematically, comprehensively, and in depth.

The philosophy of individualization in teaching.

To implement the innovation plan, the leadership of Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) has agreed on three main components for reforming teaching activities: comprehensive support from IT platforms, digital technology, and big data; individualization in education, chosen as the core philosophy as an educational philosophy in the era of the 4.0 industrial revolution; and the application of new teaching technologies as a means for the innovation process.

In fact, high-quality, personalized training is a major activity that the Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) has focused on and begun implementing for many years. VNU has actively digitized its databases; issued and implemented a credit-based training method; pioneered admissions based on competency assessment; and innovated internship and practical training activities to help students develop their abilities…

The head of Vietnam National University, Hanoi shared that innovating teaching activities towards individualization means granting lecturers greater autonomy; the application of teaching methods and organizational forms needs to be flexible, based on the spirit of emphasizing the role of the learner, creating conditions for learners to actively participate in diverse learning activities, including self-study and research; applying advanced course management software to enhance feedback and positive, frequent interaction between learners and lecturers and other learners during the learning process. At the same time, mechanisms and technologies are needed to closely and objectively check and evaluate, and the measure here is the learning outcomes.

The Director of VNU also emphasized that the innovation process is a long and challenging one, in which technology is only a supporting tool, while people are the key factor. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that all staff and lecturers throughout VNU clearly understand the guiding principles, policies, and plans set forth, and are determined, in agreement, and ready to change.

The media plays a powerful role in disseminating information to every individual within the entire Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

In conjunction with the faculty and staff throughout Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) in the plan to innovate teaching activities, along with the issuance of regulations, policies, and guiding documents, the VNU leadership also commits to providing maximum support in all aspects. The Director directs the continued development of open educational resources to serve training and research; gradually digitizing and 3D simulating practical exercises and internships; building and perfecting the content of course websites; improving the system of equipment serving education and information infrastructure; supplementing the smart classroom system…

Along with many supporting policies, on July 11, 2019, the Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) signed Decision No. 2152/QD-VNU on the establishment of the Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE), under the Institute for Educational Quality Assurance. The Center will be a place to accompany and support lecturers throughout VNU in their teaching activities, especially regarding teaching methods and the application of technology in teaching.

However, the policies and directives of the VNU leadership will not be highly effective and widely disseminated if communication activities are not prioritized, especially internal communication. The Director requested that the VNU communication department and its units widely publicize the plan for reforming teaching activities throughout VNU; and disseminate and thoroughly explain the VNU's policies to every staff member, lecturer, and student.

The communication activities aim to create profound changes in the awareness and actions of faculty and everyone else. This activity is both proactive and runs parallel to the innovation of teaching activities at Vietnam National University, Hanoi. The Director requested that communication methods be diversified, and exemplary faculty members be highlighted so that everyone can see that innovation is not just for individuals and that everyone can innovate according to their own circumstances.