Education Support Centre - Wageningen UR

Welcome on the Education Support Centre Course Registration Website.

The training programme for the Academic Year 2021/2022 (February - August) can be viewed by clicking on the image below. In the PDF of the image you can click on the course titles to register for the course. If you would like to follow one of these sessions, but the course schedule does not offer a suitable opportunity, please send a request to education.support@wur.nl. 

 

Please note:

With your registration to one of our courses you agree with the Education Support Centre Terms and Conditions.

01. Orientation to teaching and supervision

  • Start to Teach
    Start to Teach introduces you to some basic teaching and learning principles, which include topics such as constructive alignment, writing learning outcomes, activating students prior knowledge and understanding the importance of assessment. You will be given the opportunity to practice your teaching skills by presenting a micro/minilesson to the group. This course is designed for teaching staff with little experience in teaching but are appointed by Wageningen University and Research. Because it is designed for PhD candidates, post-docs and teaching assistants, it is considered suitable to form part of your teaching and supervision plan.
  • Start to supervise BSc & MSc thesis students
    In this 2,5 hour workshop you will be provided with some general information about supervising thesis students at Wageningen University and discuss good practices, expectations, basic skills. Furthermore there will be room for questions.

02. Mandatory courses/activities for the UTQ

  • UTQ introduction meeting
    In this meeting you will get information about the University Teaching Qualification trajectory (UTQ; in Dutch BKO). You will get insight in your strengths and points for development in relation to the UTQ competences. After this meeting you will be informed about the trajectory and can book a personal intake.
  • UTQ personal intake
    In the individual intake interview you will meet your UTQ supervisor. Together you will translate your personal focus per UTQ competence into a meaningful program, a provisional planning and a design for the assignments; considering your own teaching practice, the duration of the program (usually no longer than three years), the time investment of 168 hours and the admission criteria. The contract will be the basis for this meeting.
  • (Re)designing a course
    In this 3 day blended learning course you will align learning outcomes, assessment strategy and learning activities for your own course. Taking this course is a good start if you need to redesign your course. For example, because you are facing increasing students numbers, or you wish to re-use online material developed during the Covid-19 pandemic or because your course has an important role in the skills learning trajectories.
  • Assessment: Written exams – blended course
    Lecturers who want a better balance between: their interim exam, the learning outcomes and question types. And who want to improve on the formulation and grading of their open and closed questions.
  • Assessment: Written exams – guided portfolio writing
    In this meeting we will discuss the key elements in ensuring exam quality. When you register for the meeting, you will receive the assignment details. Completion of the assignments about the ‘quality of written exams’ (Part IIa) is a pre-requisite for joining this meeting to get (peer) feedback. In this way, you can make further improvements and include these in your UTQ portfolio.
  • Assessment: Graded assignments – self study + peer feedback
    In this training you will work on the key elements in ensuring the quality of graded assignments. When you register for this training, you will receive the assignment details and info on the kick-off and the peer feedback meeting. Completion of the assignments in Brightspace about the ‘quality of graded assignments’ is a pre-requisite for joining the meeting to get (peer) feedback. In this way, you can make further improvements and include these in your UTQ portfolio.
  • University Teaching: Putting theory into practice (Peer Learning Meetings)
    University teaching (peer learning meetings) focuses on getting a deeper understanding of your classroom experiences by comparing and connecting your experiences to educational concepts, models, theory, good practices with fellow participants and ESC trainers. The trajectory consists of self-work assignments in a digital platform (Brightspace) and six themed live meetings (online or face to face, depending on covid regulations). The course focuses on UTQ competence 2. Teaching and supervising.

03. Skills for teaching (also selectable as Elective courses/activities for the UTQ)

  • Brain Based Teaching
    Brain based teaching is the state of the art when it comes to approaching classroom teaching. New insights on how the brain works are translated into classroom strategies. During this training you will experience and practice lots of these strategies, so you can apply them to boost both your teaching and your student’s learning.
  • Gamified Design
    What can we learn and use from games to make learning more effective? We will explore the underlying mechanisms that make games so engaging and use this as a starting point for rethinking your own education.
  • Lecturing
    This course is for those who want to practice their lecturing skills and subsequently learn how to activate student learning and provide an optimal presentation. Since we will be practicing a lot, we will work in small groups with a preferred amount of 5 participants. The course is given in English.
  • Supervising BSc & MSc thesis students
    This two day course is meant for teachers/PhD‘s who have already supervised at least one or two BSc and/or MSc thesis students and want to learn more about supervising thesis students. In this course you exchange experiences, learn theories/models about effective supervising and practice several skills, like giving feedback, switching communication levels and asking open questions. All these elements come together when you will practice everything you have learned in a real life case simulation with an actor who plays the student. Recommendation: apply at least 3 months in advance since this course is fully booked rapidly.
  • Supervising Group Work
    In this 2-day course you will learn how to improve group performance and reduce free-riding, by getting all your students active and committed. You will practice with different stages of group development and corresponding roles of a supervisor. Topics are: assigning team roles, team communication, (shared) leadership, creating an inclusive learning environment are also addressed. This course is meant for coaches or teachers who teach a course where group collaboration is an explicit part of the course.
  • Teaching an online course
    In this course you will experience what it is like to participate in an online course and you will learn and practice e-moderating skills. This course is intended for anyone who will be moderating an online course in a Distance Learning programme.
  • Teaching in the Intercultural Classroom
    Wageningen University is an international university with students coming from more than 100 cultures. Cultural diversity has many educational benefits, such as increased collaboration, successful decision-making, greater creativity. However, cultural differences hugely impact our ability to value diversity, with biases and blind spots unknowingly blurring our view and blocking effective, inclusive teaching behaviour. This course is for lecturers to develop awareness and skills in order to interact effectively and appropriately with the culturally different students in today’s international classrooms.
  • Teaching lab practicals
    This course is intended for people who want to improve their lab teaching skills and elements of their practical class. All people who teach lab practicals (technicians, PhDs, post-docs and other staff) are welcome.
  • UTQ portfolio writing
    Have you started writing your UTQ portfolio? and/or Do you need to book some time to write your portfolio? This is an opportunity to book time in your calendars to write and to have guidance and instant feedback from UTQ supervisors.
  • Boundary Crossing Training for Teachers
    During this hands-on course we will work with a combination of observational learning and experiential learning, relating to theoretical framework of Boundary Crossing.

04. Study advisers

  • Introduction meeting for new study advisers - part 1
    In this meeting you will receive and share information about working as a study adviser at the WUR. After this meeting you know other (relatively) new study advisers a bit better and what your basic tasks contain. We will practice some communication techniques. Take into account that every study programme has his own specific tasks for study advisers as well. There will be a follow-up meeting on Friday 3rd of December
  • Interactive group meetings
    Want to create some variation in how to interact with (groups of) students? Get a taste of a SOLE (Self Organized Learning Environment), a specific form of interactive group meetings and together with colleagues reflect on possible use-cases in your daily guidance of students. Course group: Study advisers It will take place on 16th of December'21 from 12h - 13h30 Online
  • Interactive theatre as work form
    Through the help of interactive theatre, Matthijs Kool and Pablo van Neste will be taking study advisers on a journey to reflect upon mental barriers we create around ourselves and our work. After experiencing it, we will take a moment to share how this work form can be used while working with your students.
  • Workshop on unacceptable conduct (ongewenst gedrag)
    Workshop on unacceptable conduct. What to do when you or students signal unacceptable conduct in terms of sexual misbehaviour, discrimination, bullying? How do you react, and to whom can you/students go? Among other things a presentation of the ‘Calamiteiten kaart’. Facilitated by Miranda van der Slikke (confidential adviser), Sanne Collette (study adviser), Nynke Post Uiterweer (SACS). Course group: Study advisers It will take place on 24th of February'22 from 13h - 14h30 on campus. (Atlas 1&2)
  • Workshop on integrative counselling (PART1)
    This workshop explains the theory behind integrative counselling and how to use it in guiding your students. We will practice with integrative communication skills. This workshop consist of two parts. Basis on 8th of April. Follow-up and digging deeper on 17th of June. Marieke van Schaik, integrative counsellor / Study adviser competence supporter will facilitate this meeting. Course group: Study advisers Location: WUR Campus It will take place on 8th of April'22 from 10h - 12h on campus (Atlas 1&2)
  • Workshop on integrative counselling (PART 2)
    This workshop explains the theory behind integrative counselling and how to use it in guiding your students. We will practice with integrative communication skills. This workshop consist of two parts. Basis on 8th of April. Follow-up and digging deeper on 17th of June. Marieke van Schaik, integrative counsellor / Study adviser competence supporter will facilitate this meeting. Course group: Study advisers It will take place on 17th of June'22 from 10h - 12h on campus Location: Atlas 1 & 2 WUR Campus
  • Introduction meeting for new study advisers - part 3
    In this follow-up meeting, you will dive deeper into working as a study adviser at the WUR and your tasks and skills needed. If you were not able to join the previous meetings you can still join this meeting. Lunch included. Location: WUR Campus. Trainers: Nynke Post Uiterweer, Marieke van Schaik It will take place on 13th of May'22 from 09h30 - 13h on campus.
  • Communication with compassion
    A workshop on how to communicate in a non-violent way. Course group: Study advisers Due to new regulations it will take place online
  • Ins & outs of working as ‘vliegende keep’ study advisers (multi-deployable/interim)
    A presentation by Petra den Besten and Mique Menheere about our experiences followed by an interactive part. It will take place ONLINE on 8th of February '22 from 10h - 11h30
  • Suicide prevention training
    Gatekeeper training on 113-suicide-prevention provided by external trainers specialised on this topic. For more info look at: www.113.nl/academy & RINOgroep Request from the trainers: You can only join this training if you can be present the full time from 9h00-13h00 and if you haven’t been confronted with a suicide in your work or private life during the last half year before the start of the training. Course group: Study advisers Due to the lockdown 13th of January'22 is cancelled. We set a new date: 31st of March 9h00-13h00 on campus
  • Study choice
    Successful studying is dependent of making the most fitting choices. In this workshop we explore a method (in Dutch) to facilitate students to do so. Provided by study adviser Mique Menheere
  • Introduction meeting for new study advisers - part 2
    In this follow-up meeting, you will dive deeper into working as a study adviser at the WUR and your tasks and skills needed. If you were not able to join on the 30th of Sept you can still join this meeting. It will take place on 3rd of December'21 from 09h30 - 11h15 online.

05. Assessment and Examination

In these courses/activities, you will learn about different functions of assessment (formative and summative use), how to use specific tools & methods (Ans, rubrics, group assignments) and how to imply working procedures (invigilation).

  • Rubrics: How to use and develop them for feedback and assessment
    In this session we will explore how you can design rubrics and use them to facilitate student learning. We will start with a short general introduction on rubrics and have some small exercises to experience different aspects of using and developing rubrics.
  • Group assignments: good use and assessment
    In this workshop series you can extend your knowledge and skills on several aspects of group assignments and their assessment. You can take part in one or more workshops of your interest. The series of four workshops combined can also form an Elective course for the UTQ.
  • Designing assessments in Ans
    From September 2020 all digital assessment will take place in our new software Ans. In this training, you will learn you can design your assessment with open and/or closed questions in Ans and how to build and manage your question bank.
  • Additional Q&A Ans
    Already done a quick start in Ans and using Ans for building your exams? In this online session you can ask your questions on this process that were not covered in the quick start or that you encountered when using Ans.
  • Assessment as a learning activity (formative)
    Do you want more insight in student learning during your course? In this online session we will discuss how you can use assessment as a learning activity. And how you can make it activating and informative for both students and yourself.
  • Re-designing assessment for online (summative assessment)
    Are you rethinking the assessment of your course? In this session we will discuss various options for assessment online.
  • Quick Start Ans
    In this online session you will get acquainted with the basics of Ans so that you can develop your own question bank and build your own exams. This session is offered almost every week, so if the available date does not fit, come back later!
  • Workshop for Invigilators on BYOD exams
    This third period we continue with facilitating exams on student laptops (BYOD). Again, we received a lot of valuable feedback and have made some improvements. (Wageningen University is using special software to secure the laptops. More information is available at Student Support https://wur-studentsupport.screenstepslive.com/m/106158). In this workshop, you learn more about the instructions, how the security software works and how to help students who are experiencing issues. You will also have the possibility to take an exam yourself to experience which steps a student has to take before making the exam. Therefore it is required that you bring your own laptop. There is a small document available with trouble shooting guidelines. You will learn how a student can get a spare laptop and how you can see if a student has submitted the exam successfully. We will exchange tips and tricks on how to supervise a BYOD exam.
  • Writing multiple-choice and other closed question types
    In this workshop you will learn how to formulate closed questions that are valid, reliable and cover the right cognitive level.

06. Teaching tools & methods (Face-to-face)

In these courses/activities, you will learn about teaching methods & tools and learning activities that you can use to create an interactive and activating face-to-face (real life) learning environment.

  • Organising feedback on academic writing assignments (large groups)
    In the mind of many teachers, feedback on writing products is a very laborious and tedious process. However, when realizing the role of feedback in the learning process of students it is often possible to alleviate this task considerably. In this course you learn to organise feedback in an optimal way, including peerfeedback and digital tools.

07. Teaching tools & methods (online/digital)

In these courses/activities, you will learn about our Learning Management System Brightspace and other online/digital teaching tools that can help you shape your online and blended education. Activities can cover technical aspects of how to use the tools as well as didactics of online and blended learning.

  • Getting started with YuJa
    YuJa is the new video platform of the WUR. It is accessible via Brightspace, for both teaching staff and students. In this training you will get to know the most important basic functionalities in YuJa. 
  • Brightspace Introduction Training
    To give all teachers and educational supporters a smooth start in Brightspace, all can follow the Brightspace Introduction Training. Main topics in this training are: navigation, organizing and adding content, setting up online activities, such as assignments and discussion fora, setting up groups and following student’s progress.
  • Brightspace Introduction Training (Self-study)
    If you want to get familiar with Brightspace, but do not want to sign-up for a live session, you can sign-up for this self-study version. You will get access to the Brightspace and go through the materials at your own pace while doing the exercises in your practice course. Main topics in this training are: navigation, organizing and adding content, setting up online activities, such as assignments and discussion fora, setting up groups and following student’s progress.
  • Brightspace Training: Working with the grade book
    In this training you will learn more about the functionality of the Gradebook in Brightspace.
  • Brightspace Training: Tools for Assessment & (peer) Feedback
    Brightspace offers us various tools to assess students’ performance and give feedback. In this training, we will explore various tools; assignments, quizzes, self-assessments, surveys, rubrics, discussions and FeedbackFruits.
  • Brightspace Training: Create & (re)use content
    In this training you will learn about creating and (re-)using content in Brightspace. In Brightspace all kinds of content can be presented to students: texts, videos, images and presentations. In the training, we will introduce, explore and demonstrate content tools and teach you how you can create your own (interactive) content.
  • Brightspace Training: How to Copy a Course (Self-study)
    In this self-study Brightspace training you will learn how to copy your course and to make your course up to date and ready for use for the new period.
  • Brightspace Training: Using Groups (Self-study)
    In this self-study Brightspace training you will learn more about the functionality of using groups in Brightspace.
  • Brightspace Training: Tips & Tricks (Self-study)
    In the self-study Brightspace Training “Tips & Tricks: inspiration and time savers”, you will learn about user’s best practices in course design and execution.
  • Brightspace Training: Using MS Teams and MS Meetings
    In this interactive session you will learn how to work with MS Teams as digital collaboration and web-conferencing tool in your course, alongside the course Brightspace page.
  • Brightspace Training: Using Virtual Classroom (on demand)
    Virtual Classroom is the tool Brightspace offers to organize online, live meetings with students enrolled in your Brightspace course.
  • Use FeedbackFruits to add interaction to your course
    FeedbackFruits offers online educational tools to facilitate peer & teacher feedback, online discussion, active studying and interactive classrooms. The tools are integrated and can be used from within Brightspace. In the training, we will explore, discuss and practice the usage of the various FeddbcakFruits tools.
  • Producing your own knowledge clips (Self-study)
    Knowledge clips are short video clips (5 to 7 minutes) in which the teacher explains a theory or concept or shows a skill or procedure. The course is a self study course, in which you do get feedback from a trainer.
  • Teaching and Designing a Blended Course (self-study)
    Learn effective design and teaching methods that blend synchronous and a-synchronous learning activities in online or partially on-campus courses. This is a short self-paced course and teaching reference.

08. Events & Other activities

In the events organised by ESC, you will discuss about good practices in teaching, get introduced to new learning technologies, and have the opportunity to learn from and exchange experiences with other educators.

  • Inclusive learning environment in the International Bachelor
    Guest speaker Vincent Merk, lecturer and community advisor at TU/e, will share his D.I.V.E.R.S.I.T.Y. model, followed by an open intervisionfor the ones who want to dive deeper in this topic by reflecting on their own practice concerning inclusive learning environments.
  • Inspiration Lunch workshops (2021-2022)
    Want to know more about technology enhanced learning or blended learning design? Visit one of our Inspiration workshops. Participation is free of charge. If the workshop is on campus, and the room/programme allows, lunch will be provided.
  • Q&A session: Starting up your hybrid classroom
    In this session on hybrid teaching, we will address: Getting started with the hybrid lecture; Didactics in a hybrid setting; Your questions on setting up and executing a hybrid session.
  • Teachers Day
    Annual Teachers Day is organised in December. Check back closer to this month for exact date.
  • Demo and Q&A session: The GroupTool
    A new function in Brightspace - the GroupTool - makes it easier to make group divisions. In the GroupTool it is possible to filter students e.g. on program, start year, and whether or not they are in a group, with an easy user interface to do so. Also, you can provide students with a personal Education Schedule by linking Brightspace groups to the TimeEdit schedule (groups). During this session we will demonstrate the GroupTool, share user experiences and answer questions you may have in regards to the tool.

09. On demand

These courses or activities are organised on demand. Depending on whether it is an individual support activity or course, we will try to plan an occurence when there is interest. Please send an e-mail to education.support@wur.nl. 

  • (re)designing a course: self-study modules for exemption trajectories
    This course teaches you the basics of designing education. It is open for self-study; all knowledge clips and readings are accessible, the discussion fora and course analysis are not open. If you are interested in joining the full course, check our schedule: https://esd.crs.wur.nl/courses/details/257/
  • Redesign Lab intake
    There may be all sorts of reasons to renew your education. Often you can do this yourself. If you need help – perhaps because you do not know how to handle it or the task is too great – we would be happy to help in facilitating the process of re-design. You can e-mail education.support@wur.nl for an intake to discuss the possibilities.
  • Introduction Knowledge clips
    For teachers that are interested in the possibilities of knowledge clips in their courses and the development process of such a knowledge clip. Central questions are: - What is a knowledge clip? - What type of knowledge clip am I going to make? - How do I prepare a knowledge clip? - What kind of support can I get? - How do I organize it?
  • Camera training
    Knowledge clips are becoming more important as teaching activity within the WU. They are used as short video clips (5 to 7 minutes) in which the teacher explains a theory, concept or show a skill or procedure. In two half days you improve your skills in developing and recording a knowledge clip in front of the camera in the Greenroom Studio.
  • Organising IT in your course design
    This is an advanced course for teachers. Registration to this course is only possible when you have participated in the workshops “Online teaching methods to activate your students” and “Orientation on digital tools”.