Innovative Approaches to Teaching & Learning

As noted in the Innovative Teaching and Learning Research 2011 Findings and Implications report from Microsoft’s Partners in Learning initiative, "Innovative teaching practices are more likely to flourish when particular supportive conditions are in place. These conditions include

• Teacher collaboration that focuses on peer support and the sharing of teaching practices,
• Professional development that involves the active and direct engagement of teachers, particularly in practicing and researching new teaching methods, and
• A school culture that offers a common vision of innovation as well as consistent support that encourages new types of teaching."

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) states, "For all students to thrive in the classroom, in college, and in a career, our educational system must continuously develop and embrace the very best practices, policies, and ideas." The Innovative Approaches to Teaching and Learning priority seeks to identify and scale up innovative approaches to teaching and learning that significantly improve student outcomes. To support this priority, ED has created the Center on Innovations in Learning.