High quality teaching in higher education : a challenge and a possibility

Abstract

A shared concern in higher education establishments is the quality of teaching taking place and thereby, the quality of students leaving the college/university. While keeping in mind that quality cannot be easily defined, this paper aims to raise awareness on a number of challenges which could be impinging on the quality of education in the higher education sector. There are a number of external factors which could be attributed to the quality of teaching. However, the focus of this paper is limited to the teaching and learning process in the higher education classroom setting. In the first section of the paper, the author raises awareness on the dynamic and complex nature of the teaching and learning process which could be affecting the quality of education in the higher education classroom. The emphasis is on the main stakeholders - the lecturers and the students – and the relationship between the two. Next, the author outlines a number of challenges which could be affecting the process. The aim is to reflect upon the teaching and learning that go on in the higher education classroom, so as to be able to align future actions. Finally, the author proposes concrete practices which can be adopted in order to overcome the challenges and improve the quality of teaching, and thereby, the quality of students leaving higher education. High quality teaching in a higher education classroom has got its challenges but it is a possibility.