Professional and Organizational Development Network in Higher Education
Date of this Version
2016
Document Type
Article
Citation
To Improve the Academy: A Journal of Educational Development (2016) 35(2)
Abstract
Improvisational theater training (or “improv”) is a strategy employed by many business leaders and educators to cultivate creativity and collaboration amid change. Drawing on improv principles such as “Yes, And…” and “Make your scene partners look good,” we explore the ways in which educational developers might apply principles of improv in 3 contexts: teaching and building classroom community, organizational development, and research collaboration. Faculty developers who successfully engage the principles of improv have the potential to help colleges and universities respond more effectively to complex problems and to manage the uncertainty of the future. By highlighting successful applications of improvisation principles across higher education, we hope to spark further discussion and research on how applied improvisation might be a strategy for overcoming resistance to change and encouraging an environment where innovation is valued.
Included in
Curriculum and Instruction Commons, Higher Education Commons, Higher Education Administration Commons, Higher Education and Teaching Commons, Other Education Commons
Comments
License: CC BY-NC-ND