The Educause Learning Initiative (ELI) has launched a project focusing on the top teaching & learning challenges in higher education. This is looks to be a great initiative. I attended a session on it at Educause today. The project site indicates this is a “new community effort to surface and synthesize trends in higher education.”

Teaching & learning professionals can contribute their ideas via an online survey through the end of the week. Then ELI staffers will identify the top five issues, around which they will facilitate additional discussion and debate. Among other things, they’re hosting a wiki and a social networking site on Ning.

The session today featured some observations from panel members and an audience brainstorming session RE some of the major challenges before us. A sampling of the issues:

1. Promoting authentic / engaged learning
2. Developing “21st Century Literacy” in students AND faculty
3. Getting teaching & learning the priority they deserve (budget, tenure, etc.)
4. Effectively evaluating teaching & learning improvements
5. Encouraging learner ownership of the learning process
6. Closing the teacher-student technology gap

This looks to be a very interesting, engaging initiative. Have something to say about these or related issues? Go participate!