A STUDY ON INNOVATIVE PEDAGOGICAL PRACTICES AND THEIR IMPACT ON STUDENT ENGAGEMENT IN HIGHER EDUCATION

Abstract

This paper explores the revolutionary nature of new pedagogy in reinventing student engagements in the new environment of higher education. Since conventional didactic models are becoming more questionable due to their inability to satisfy the demands of a digitally-native and diverse student population, the study examines the transition to active learning models, such as the flipped classroom, gamification, and AI-driven personalized teaching. The article explores how these methodologies can provoke three key dimensions of engagement: behavioral, emotional, and cognitive by combining the existing theories of education with the empirical evidence. The results indicate that the adoption of high-impact practices, i.e. project-based learning, the use of immersive virtual simulations, etc., has a significant positive effect on retention rates and the development of critical competencies of the 21st century. The paper also mentions the implementation systemic issues, such as the faculty digital literacy and strong institutional support. The paper concludes by asserting that the shift to the innovative pedagogy is not only a technological update but the entire switch to the more inclusive, flexible, and student-centered academic ecosystem.

Keywords: Pedagogical Innovation, Active Learning, Higher Education Reform, Student Engagement, Digital Transformation