Fostering Innovation Competences in Online Learning: Insights into Challenges of European Higher Education Institutions

To succeed in a rapidly changing and uncertain world, innovation is essential. An innovation-driven working environment requires graduating students to generate new ideas, improve existing processes, and adapt to change. Innovation competences are a shared objective across all degree programmes in European higher education institutions. While recent studies emphasise the importance of integrating these competences into curricula, limited attention has been paid to how they are developed in online learning environments. This study aims to identify the challenges and needs faced by higher education institutions in identifying, assessing, and developing students’ innovation competences in online learning contexts. The data was collected in spring 2022 from the three partner organisations of the Erasmus+ SINCOE project (Supporting Innovation Competences in Online Education) in Finland, Germany, and Spain. The qualitative dataset includes 52 expert interviews, 26 student interviews, and supplementary material such as reflections and workshop outcomes. Thematic analysis revealed eight key challenges related to fostering innovation competences online, including aspects such as student motivation, assessment practices, and the creation of an engaging learning atmosphere. The findings provide valuable insights for higher education professionals seeking to enhance online pedagogical strategies and assessment tools that support the development of innovative behaviour.