Educational development centres: from educational to organisational development?

Abstract

Purpose The paper aims to investigate the role of educational development centres, and their potential for playing a broader and more central role in quality and organisational development. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on the results of three external evaluations of educational development centres in Denmark and Norway, combined with a literature review of studies of educational development centres. Findings Educational development centres are in a period of transformation due to external forces (Bologna, the demand for institutional quality systems, etc.), and this creates new dilemmas and challenges for educational development. Originality/value The paper points to the need to broaden the focus of educational development, and link it closer to other processes related to quality and organisational development.