Promoting Skills for Innovation in Higher Education : A Literature Review on the Efectiveness of Problem-Based Learning and of Teaching Behaviours

Abstract

Future economic growth and social progress in knowledge societies rely increasingly on innovation. Innovators and entrepreneurs require skill sets for innovation such as technical skills, thinking and creativity skills, as well as social and behavioural skills. Higher education plays an important role in providing people with skills for innovation, but a number of important questions remain as to what kind of higher education teaching can be conducive to the strengthening of skills for innovation. This report aims to shed light on this issue by reviewing the current evidence on the effectiveness of problem-based learning compared with more traditional approaches in higher education teaching. Problem based learning typically requires students to work in small groups to solve real-world problems. The report explores the extent to which problem-based learning can be an effective way to develop different discipline-specific and transferable skills for innovation.