VU is constantly working on innovation in the field of education, both in terms of course content, didactics and technological support.
Innovation takes place on a small scale by individual teachers and on a larger scale by programmes or faculties.
New study programmes or graduation tracks
New degree programmes often arise when social and scientific developments lead to new fields of study or when the needs of society change. Click here (see Dutch version of this link) for information on stopping or starting a programme.
New teaching concept
Courses also have to adapt regularly as insights around learning, new teaching concepts motivation academic education and the like change. This requires revision of learning objectives, course design and distribution and more. This could include VU-wide educational innovations.
VU-wide educational innovations
VU-wide there are more general innovations such as Active Blended Learning, Community Service Learning, the wider use of the VU MIXED model or VU Dream Teams.
Innovation projects
An important motor for educational innovation are innovation projects supported by resources from incentive schemes. Individual teachers or teams of teachers can often apply for these. SOZ OKP offers help in writing a good plan.
Education agenda and quality of education
At VU, we work with an integral VU Education Agenda. The Education Agenda is a translation of the VU educational ambitions from the VU Strategy and VU Vision on Education into concrete results and activities. The multi-year VU Education Agenda (2023-2028) will be updated every year based on progress, results and progressive insights.
VU Amsterdam has VU-wide policies on education and educational quality assurance. VU Amsterdam operates an internal quality assurance system and participates in the external accreditation system of the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO in Dutch) to guarantee the quality of programmes.
Teacher support and didactic support for innovations
Teachers and programme directors can also commit to innovations because they are constantly working on educational improvements. The faculties or the VU Centre for Teaching & Learning (CTL) can provide support for this in a number of ways.