Description DP 1 Active learning

1. Students study actively in the classroom, in groups or self-study to master the learning objectives instead of passively listening. Active learning enables complex learning.
2. The students learn to apply their knowledge in the assignments in the classroom or their self-study. The assignments are focused on learning tasks relevant to the learning objectives. The students will get feedback after finishing the assignments.
3. The teacher’s expectations concerning the students’ learning are transparently described in the coursebook. The learning objectives are logically related to the other courses in the curriculum through the learning tracks.
4. Teachers, tutors or both support the self-study of the students. The students will have to study increasingly independently during their study (= scaffolding).
5. A practical principle is Time-on-task and more hours of meaningful studying results in more learning. The design task for teachers is to find meaningful learning activities which stimulate the students to study regularly instead of waiting until just before the test.

Design principles

• Design Principle 1 Active Learning
• Design principle 2. Issues and problems from the professional field are central
• Design principle 3: Focus explicitly on knowledge
• Design principle 4. Qualities necessary in a nominal program
• Design principle 5 Consider seriously collaborative learning and learning from fellow students
• Design principle 6. Testing and feedback are the motors of students’ learning
• Design principle 7. IT is a must!
• Design principle 8. Possibilities for personal growth

Necessary focus points

• Consider entry-level use of remedial study materials (2).
• Test and give feedback with VLE (6).
• Stimulate students’ motivation in the class (41).
• Focus on complex learning (30).

It does require pedagogical preparation.

• Select learning activities you want to use with matching verbs (3).
• Design an optimal blend of F2F, online and self-study (11)
• Schedule the study activities effectively. (43).
• Select the educational methods you like to use (51).

Another step to modernize

• Apply the idea of the course or advance organizer (9).
• Increase the complexity of the learning activities (10).
• Create a didactic description of the assignments (13).
• Consider using serious games for learning complex skills and competencies (49).

Using IT to support self-study and classroom study

• Present the assignments through the VLE.
• Present the assignments of increasing difficulty.
• Offer (extra) study questions, assignments, cases, serious games and simulations, including feedback.
• Use available online pedagogical tools.
• Offer remedial teaching.
• Sent results assignment results through VLE to the teachers, fellow students or both.
• Apply fixed deadlines for assignments/tests.
• Discuss students’ results in the classroom.
• React as a teacher through the forum, a short video film, an online lesson or a F2F lesson.
• Discuss the necessary study skills with the students.
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