Faculty and students at the university are being challenged by pandemic-related restrictions. The use of facilities as well as movement on campus are severely limited. For new students it is difficult to connect with the academic community as well as with the programs. So how can we make sure that students feel connected to the university and that we stimulate them to take ownership of their own learning?
Kenny Meesters, lecturer in the Information Management master within Tilburg University School of Economics and Management, rose up to such challenges with a bootcamp idea. Together with colleagues Andreas Alexiou, Joris Hulstijn, Francesco Lelli, and Carol Ou he developed a new approach towards teaching in these times.
In this episode Kenny tells us how, throughout the bootcamp, students explore a societal relevant case with the support and guidance of different lecturers. Alex Muller, one of the students who took part in this initiative, tells us how such model provides an holistic view on the program, as opposed to isolated courses. Prioritizing meaningful dialog and discussion with students, rather then projecting knowledge or provide instructions, gives ownership to students by creating a ‘thirst’ for knowledge to solve the case and share the results. This, in turn, allows students to get to know, use and integrate all aspects of the Tilburg Education Profile, forging them into socially engaged, critical thinkers.
