Description DP8 Possibilities for personal growth

1. Most students need half a year or more to learn how to work as a student. They have to learn how to plan their study, how to study texts (written and digital), how to learn from video presentations, how to work systematically, and how to use all sorts of IT tools.
2. Tutoring/counselling students results in more social coherence in the faculty/university. This will lead to better study progress and less dropout. The tutor and counselling activities are planned carefully in a separate learning track in the program (curriculum). Contact between students and the faculty should be encouraged.
3. During the study, students need to be supported to make choices about their education and professional career. Students are supported to explore their interests and future plans and decide on what to do next. Dialogue and a good relationship between the student and the tutors/counsellors/teachers are important.
4. The basic feature of modern higher education is the greater own responsibility of the students for their studies. The necessary support given by the teachers and in the assignments decreases during the study program (= scaffolding).

Design principle

• 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

• Support a good start to the students’ study (34).

It does require pedagogical preparation

• Create possibilities for development towards a beginning professional  (17).
• Match prospective students to programs (33).
• Help students with academic and personal problems (36).
• Offer support in choosing their direction for students (37).

Another step to modernize

• Offer extra curriculum for top-rated and motivated students (22).

Using IT to support self-study and classroom study

• Introduce students to professional occupations with videos, professional websites, pictures, case studies and projects.
• Organise project work, other group work, and internships focussed on the profession.
• Follow students’ competencies with a portfolio.
• Prepare students for internships.
• Make use of an online virtual classroom.
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