Blended learning
well-considered blend at our faculty
8 objectives
Why?
VUB is 'blended' by default
- based on 'BVO Brutaal Digitaal'
1
VUB-policy
based on feedback from students and lecturers in the faculty
--> positive provided the approach is well-considered and thought-through
2
Feedback
policy & support
Developed with lecturers from IR
Approved by FOWC of 16/5
3
Necessity
1
Transparency & Structure
3
Differentiated
5
Process
2
Uniformity
4
Development of skills
1
Transparency & Structure
1.
To provide students with the necessary transparency and a clear structure, Canvas serves as the communication channel for every course component. Canvas is used to share and structure information, to work on formative assessment, and it offers the possibility to provide differentiated education.
2
Uniformity
2.
To align with the need for uniformity and structure on Canvas, each course component uses the template provided by the Vice Rectorate for Education & Student Affairs.
3.
Each course component makes use of the available tools on the learning platform. What can be done with Canvas, is done with Canvas.
2
Uniformity
Template & tools
Template?
Find all the information here!
What about all the tools?
- Upload Papers via Assignments (correct via Speedgrader!)
- Organise automated quizzes
- Organise your learning material via Modules
- Organise peer reviews
- Organise group feedback (Buddycheck)
- Use Panopto to easily share and edit your recordings!
- ...
3
Differentiated
4.
To offer the learning material inclusively to the students, each course component initially strives for a low blend approach. By transforming the course component into such a low blend, both the teacher and the student have a better overview of the learning material and can gradually develop the possibilities of the 'optimal blend', which aligns with the process-oriented aspect of this vision.
5.
To further activate students as engineers, sharpen self-regulatory skills (step-by-step), and introduce variation in the offerings, each program selects some course components to be developed or consolidated as medium or high blends. This selection is based, among other things, on learning outcomes and content. To ensure the manageability and workload for students, this choice is monitored in the program councils.
3
Differentiated
Low/medium/high?
Low = enriched virtual environment. The digital structure reflects the structure of the on-campus classes. Opportunity to offer formative help (Q&A, discussion board, automated quizzes, ...)
Medium = replace some on-campus classes with online learning moment, excursions, fieldwork, ...
High = completely rethink structure of your course, starting from learning outcomes --> assessment --> learning activities
3
Differentiated
4
Development of skills
6.
To make the overview of the blended approach clear for students, each course instructor provides an explanation on Canvas regarding the organization and support offered. Each instructor clearly explains the added value of this approach and the skills that students acquire as a result.
e.g.: academic reading skills as an important skill --> change learning activities
5
Process
7.
At the program level, obstacles are identified. These challenges may include issues with scheduling, support for staff, classroom availability, or space for students to work on asynchronous tasks on campus. The program council gathers information and addresses these problems with the relevant departments, such as Infrastructure, AV Services, or Education & Student Affairs.
8.
Implementing this vision requires time and consultation. To keep the text alive and monitor the process, the approach of the program council is incorporated into the strategic plans.
5
Process - support?
For the lecturer?
Canvas course for lecturers faculty IR
- General information on the policy text (background, 8 objectives highlighted)
- Support: how to? (text & video)
- Best practices! (short clips)
- Extra support: information from webinars & Inspiration day
- Link to self-scan
- Contact details for personal support
For the program?
Tool to inventory efforts
Educational day? Inspiration Day ? (e.g.: initiative Industrial Engineering: kick-off)