Shared course offer at other universities

The Intertwingled Teacher– guest talk by professor Jon Dron at Athabasca University, Canada

Open Universiteit

All of us are learning technologists, teaching others through the use of technologies, be they language, white boards, and pencils or computers, apps, and networks. We are all part of a vast, technology-mediated cognitive web in which a cast of millions – in formal education including teachers such as textbook authors, media producers, architects, software designers, system administrators, and, above all, learners themselves – co-participates in creating an endless, richly entwined tapestry of learning. This tapestry spreads far beyond formal acts of teaching, far back in time, and far into the future, weaving in and helping to form not just the learning of individuals but the collective intelligence of the whole human race. Everyone’s learning journey both differs from and is intertwingled with that of everyone else. Education is an overwhelmingly complex and unpredictable technological system in which coarse patterns and average effects can be found but, except in the most rigid, invariant, minor details, of which individual predictions cannot be accurately made. No learner is average, and outcomes are always greater than what is intended. The beat of a butterfly’s wing in Timbuktu can radically affect the experience of a learner in Toronto. A slight variation in tone of voice can make all the difference between a life-transforming learning experience and a lifelong aversion to a subject. Beautifully crafted, research-informed teaching methods can be completely ineffective, while poor teaching, or even the absence of it, can result in profoundly affective learning. For all our efforts to understand and control it, education as a technological process is far closer to art than to engineering. What we do is usually far less significant than the idiosyncratic way that we do it, and how much we care for the subject, our students, and our craft is often far more important than the pedagogical methods we use. In this talk I will discuss what all of this implies for how we should teach, for how we understand teaching, and for how we research the massively intertwingled processes and tools of teaching. Along the way I will explain why there is no significant difference between measured outcomes of online or in-person learning, the futility of teaching to learning styles, the reason for the 2-sigma advantage of personal tuition, the surprising commonalities between behaviourist, cognitivist, constructivist models of learning and teaching, the nature of literacies, and the failure of reductive research methods in education. It will be fun.

Location: On campus Heerlen, Pretoria building

Date and time: 11-06-2024, 10.00 – 12.00 a.m.

Language: English

Cost: Free

More information and sign-up Sign up via cvb@ou.nl

Integrate generative AI into your course effectively and responsibly 

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Generative AI like AI Chatbots have a big impact on how students learn and what their future profession looks like. How to best deal with that? In this short workshop for lecturers, programme directors or coordinators, learn about VU policy and VU CTL recommendations on the use of generative AI in education. Get valuable ideas about integrating it effectively, but above all responsibly, into your programme or course. 

Dates and times: 7 May, 11 June 2024
Please pick your preffered day and time via the VU CTL Shorts registration form.
Language: Dutch, unless someone is not proficient in Dutch – then English
Location: hybrid
Cost: free

Effective educational videos to boost students' learning  

Erasmus Universiteit

Do you want to create educational videos for your course but don't know where to start? No worries, we'll help you out! In this short webinar 'Effective educational videos to boost students’ learning', you will be introduced to writing an effective script, choosing the right images to support your story, and integrating the video into your course. This webinar is also accessible for non-teaching staff. 

What will you achieve? 

• Choosing the right images to support your story; 
• Integrating your video into your course; 
• Writing an effective script. 

Dates and times: 28 March, 10 April 2024
Please pick your preferred date via Effective educational videos to boost students learning (eur.nl).
Language: English
Implementation: online webinar
Cost: free

Design for hybrid courses 

Erasmus Universiteit

In this interactive one-hour webinar, you will learn about the concept of hybrid course design. A course design model in which you will explore the best possible modality for each learning activity. We will provide you with suggestions and ideas to reflect on the design of your own course. Not just for the possible hybrid start of the coming academic year but especially to prepare you for the education of the future. 
What will you achieve? 

• Learn about the concept of hybrid course design. 
• Receive suggestions and ideas to reflect on the design of your own course. 

Dates and times: upon request; for more information, please see Hybrid course design (eur.nl).
Language: English
Implementation: online webinar
Cost: free

Make your Canvas course student-friendly and inclusive 

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Learn important guidelines to make your Canvas course student-friendly and inclusive for all students. Canvas is the central online meeting place for students and teachers. It's important that students can find the information they need so you don't have to answer unnecessary questions and so students won't fail because they couldn't find crucial information. This is particularly critical for students with visual impairments, for instance. Join this workshop to gain the skills needed to enhance accessibility and usability within your Canvas course. 

Date and time: 4 June 2024
Language: Dutch
Location: hybrid
Cost: free
More information and registration via Make Your Canvas Course Student-Friendly and Inclusive (vu.nl)

Autism-inclusive education

Open Universiteit

The aim of this course is to give you an understanding of how the world works for someone who is autistic, and the effects this has on education. In doing so, you will develop the ability to empathise with autistic students. The course provides guidelines for making education autism-inclusive, with concrete examples of how to apply those guidelines. The guidelines become understandable as you have first gained an understanding of autism.

Location: Online

Language: Dutch

Dates and times: Start at any time

Cost: Free

More information and sign-up

Improving inclusion with the VU Mixed Classroom Model 

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

The VU Mixed Classroom Model is an educational approach that builds on diversity to enrich the learning experience for all students. Building on differences doesn't mean compromising between diverse  perspectives or merging them into one unified perspective. Instead, we use the differences and potential tensions between perspectives to stimulate critical thinking, develop analytical skills, and generate creative solutions. In this session, we will showcase the model and put it into practice. Additionally, we will explore practical examples demonstrating its utility both within and beyond the classroom. 

Date and time: 15 May 2024, 10:00-11:30
Language: Dutch, unless someone is not proficient in Dutch – then English
Location: on campus
Cost: free
More information and registration via Improve inclusion with the VU Mixed Classroom Model.

Introduction to Dutch (inleiding tot het Nederlands)

Rijksuniversiteit Groningen

Speak, write, and understand useful Dutch 
During the course, you will learn Dutch phrases, greetings, vocabulary, numbers, spelling, and grammar. By the end of the course, you will be able to recognise familiar words and phrases about yourself and your family. You will be taught to use simple sentences to describe where you live and about the people you know. Finally, you will be able to write short texts such as an email or fill in forms with personal details. The focus will be on receptive skills such as reading and listening. 

This course has been ranked as one of the best online courses by online course aggregator Class Central. 

The course will take place over the course of three weeks, helping you to: 

• Introduce yourself and connect with fellow learners; 
• Talk about your family, friends, work, and study; 
• Experience life in the Netherlands. 

Dates and times: you can start anytime (self-paced). Do you want to join a global classroom of learners? Start August 12, 2024.
Language: English
Implementation: MOOC
Cost: free of charge (completion within three weeks, no certificate) or €75 for participants who want a certificate or want to study longer than three weeks. 
Meer information and registration via Introduction to Dutch - Online Course (futurelearn.com).

Assessment in higher education: professional development for teachers 

Erasmus Universiteit

In this MOOC you will work on your own assessment products through assignments. For example, you can create an assessment plan for your own course. In addition, you will become part of a global learning community of higher education teachers. We offer instructional videos, interviews with experts and with teachers, animations, and checklists. In addition to this, you will find exercises, test assignments and discussions in the MOOC. 

Dates and times: every 8 weeks it is possible to register and start
Language: English
Implementation: MOOC
Cost: free
More information and registration via Assessment in Higher Education: Professional Development for Teachers | Coursera.

The 5th UM Global Citizenship Education Symposium 

Universiteit Maastricht 

The 5th UM Symposium on Global Citizenship Education focuses on transformative engagement, one of the pillars of the UM GCEd initiative and a key competence of UM graduates who will become tomorrow's leaders and change makers.  

This symposium features speakers such as Professor Martin Tomitsch, Head of the Transdisciplinary School at the University of Technology Sydney, who will explore life-centred design and transdisciplinary programs. Professor Colin Wayne Leach, Professor of Psychology and Africana Studies at Columbia University in New York, will discuss the place of protest in ethical citizenship in a global world. Workshops after lunch, will cover topics such as accommodating conflicting narratives in human rights education, engaging local actors in community-engaged higher education, fostering entrepreneurial mindsets, promoting collaborative learning with global partners, preparing for Generation Alpha, and addressing eco-anxiety and building resilience. The event will conclude with a plenary panel discussion, with networking opportunities throughout the day. The complete programme will be published approximately 4 weeks before the event. 

Location: Inner city Maastricht – exact location to be announced (you will receive an update after registering) 

Language: English 

Date and time: Thursday May 23rd, 2024, 10:30 - 17:00, with drinks afterwards 

Cost: Free 

More information and sign-up  

Beyond content: how to really make a difference as a teacher  

Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen

During the course you will discuss why education and science should be key drivers of sustainability. Additionally, we'll explore ways to not only equip students with the required knowledge but also with the necessary skills for the future. This training helps you to make your teaching future-proof!  

The course will provide food for thought as well as room for discussion. As a participant, you will get inspired and develop ideas about how you can integrate the topic of sustainable development into your own teaching, even when there’s a lack of time to make big adjustments.   

Dates and times: autumn 2024
Language: English, unless all participants speak Dutch
Location: on campus
Cost: free
More information and registration via Course Beyond content: how to really make a difference as a teacher (ru.nl).

Impact driven education 

Erasmus Universiteit

Are you looking for ways to create impact with your education? Our world is complex and full of 'wicked problems'; through our education, we can prepare students to contribute to solving these challenges. But where do you start? Join this webinar to explore the principles of impact-driven education and identify opportunities for your discipline. This webinar serves as an introduction to the MicroLab 'How to design impact-driven education?' and is also accessible to non-teaching staff. 

What will you achieve?  

• Explore the principles of impact-driven education and identify opportunities for your discipline. 

Dates and times: upon request, for a minimum of 4 participants. Send an email to training risbo.eur.nl.
Language: English, unless all participants speak Dutch
Location: online
Cost: free
More information: Course Impact driven education (eur.nl)

Five easy tips to make your course more active and blended

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

In this workshop, we will cover easy-to-apply methods to make your course more activating and blended. We will provide you with five practical tips. Teachers who have already implemented these tips are very happy with the results, as are their students!

Date and time: 9 April 2024, 10:30-12:00
Language: Dutch, unless someone is not proficient in Dutch – then English
Location: on campus
Cost: free
More information and registration via 5 easy tips to make your course more active and blended (vu.nl).

Bringing TV techniques to teaching: how to entertain, engage and educate! 

Universiteit Maastricht

In this workshop you will receive guidance on how to enhance your teaching by using storytelling, videos, interviews, and other techniques from the TV industry. Whether being taught online or face-to-face, students learn better in a stimulating environment. It is the responsibility of the lecturer to create that environment with their performance, the course content, and the positive energy they engender from their audience. 

All this can be achieved by using easy to learn techniques from the TV industry. Teaching and being taught can be much more fun, if you know how to! TV producer and media skills trainer Julian Dismore will introduce you to different ways to make your lectures and materials more engaging while maintaining the academic standard. Exercises, discussions, and role play will help you improve your approach.  

Date and time: 7 May 2024, 13:30-16:00
Language: English
Location: online
Cost: free
More information and registration via Bringing TV Techniques to Teaching – How To Entertain, Engage and Educate! (edlab.nl).

Remote (individual) guidance of student(s)

Open Universiteit

The focus of this workshop is the successful supervision of (individual) students. A special aspect here is the role of the online tutor. After all, many teachers maintain contact with students remotely: through phone calls, e-mail and zoom or during virtual classes.

During this workshop we will cover some theoretical aspects and practice fundamental interaction and conversation techniques, like feedback rules in role play and discussions based on sources and videoclips. We try as much as possible to connect to situations in your own teaching practice. The focus is always on optimizing each person's strengths as effectively as possible for (online) individual coaching. 

Dates and times: on demand, starting at 4 registrations. Participants will be contacted to schedule a moment. 
Language: Dutch/English
Location: online/face-to-face
Cost: free
Interested? Please send an e-mail to docentprofessionalisering ou.nl.

Successful PhD Supervision: a shared journey (MOOC)

Rijksuniversiteit Groningen

This course aims primarily to support both aspiring and more experienced PhD supervisors in their important and challenging role. The course may also be relevant for policymakers and trainers within scientific institutions. 

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to: 

• Identify the most important moments and phases in the PhD trajectory; 
• Assess your own role and shared responsibility as a supervisor; 
• Experiment with tools and methods to improve the effectiveness of PhD supervision; 
• Apply effective interaction techniques in conversations with the PhD student; 
• Improve the process of dealing with expectations and formulating goals; 
• Reflect on your professional development as PhD supervisor in the academic context; 
• Demonstrate awareness of your own values, qualities, and pitfalls; as well as awareness about being a role model to your PhD students. 

Dates and times: anytime (self-paced)
Language: English
Location: online
Cost: free
More information and registration via Successful PhD supervision - Online Course (futurelearn.com).

How to visualize your educational content

Erasmus Universiteit

Are your slides overloaded with text? Would you like your slides to support your teaching in the best possible way? Then follow the webinar "How to visualize your content"! During this webinar, you will learn why it is important to use visualization principles and how to do it effectively. 

Date and time: 9 April 2024, 12:00-13:00
Language: English
Location: online
Cost: free
More information and registration via How to visualize your content (eur.nl).