Educational Innovation in Higher Education: Role of Innovative Competencies, Learning Environment, Student Readiness and Ideological and Political Education

Abstract

As crucial sites for the development of talent and the production of information, higher education institutions around the world are undergoing significant structural, social, and technological changes as a result of the immense scientific and technological advances. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of innovative competencies, learning environment, and student readiness on educational innovation. This study further explores this relationship by utilizing ideological and political education as a mediator.  Data was collected from 270 students of Chinese schools and colleges and universities who have majored in political science subject. Data were analyzed by using SPSS and SMART-PLS techniques. The analysis of the data showed that innovation competencies, learning environment, and student readiness have a significant and positive impact on educational innovation. The findings of the study showed that educational innovation in institutes increases when students have innovative competencies, the environment of the institute is supportive of new learning, and students are ready to accept any change in the institute. The findings of the study also revealed that ideological and political innovation significantly mediates the relationship between innovative competencies, learning environment students readiness, and educational innovation. The study is useful for educational institutes and educational policymakers to enhance educational innovation by focusing on the above mention factors. Future studies can identify other factors which have a significant effect on innovation in any institute.