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This session discusses the use of competency-based assessment tools and innovative teaching methods in science and technology studies to attract more students in the Netherlands. It explores the impact of e-learning in increasing science student enrollment.
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E-Learning Tools and Didactics Increase Science Student Numbers in the Netherlands?Bart van de Laar • Session Details • Track 7 Tuesday, October 10, 2006 2:15 p.m. - 3:05 p.m. Room C147/154
The SURF Foundation, the Dutch sister organization of EDUCAUSE, funds a number of initiatives that aim to increase science and technology student numbers in the Netherlands in accordance with EU policy. The presentation critically discusses competency-based assessment tools and didactics of remedial education in science and technology studies.
10,000 1987 42 14 8 3 2 1 :Dissertations online (DAREnet.nl) / hits p.h. : Founded : Colleges / universities : Research universities : EDUCAUSE, ECAR, JISC, DFG, DEF… : Fields of interest : Limited liability companies SURFnet / SURFservices : Network architecture SURFnet6 Facts ‘n figures
22,000 5,500 1871 1614 500 10 1 :Undergraduate and graduate students : Faculty and staff : First Dutch female student : University founded : PhD students in Science and Technology : Faculties : Nobel prize Facts ‘n figures
Quiz… quiz 0/6
Imagine that you throw a rock off a 30m (100 ft) cliff facing a still lake, when the sun is directly overhead. The initial velocity of the rock is 10 m/s horizontally due west. Assume that the effect of the air on the rock is negligible. Just before the rock hits the water, the westward component of its velocity (which will be the same as the speed of its shadow on the water) will be Roughly zero (the rock drops straight into the water) Significantly less than 10 m/s Very close to 10m/s Significantly larger than 10 m/s quiz 1/6
Problem definition Large potential for S&T • PISA, TIMMS (secondary education) • research impact of Dutch research
Problem definition Image of S&T studies • S&T studies are difficult and demanding • S&T studies are unattractive • no attractive career perspective, lack of suitable role models
Problem definition Heterogenous backgrounds of S&T student • Profile Nature&Technics, Nature&Health • School differences • Europe’s poorest gender balance in S&T
Imagine that you are standing by the side of the road just as a pickup truck passes you (moving toward your right). Someone in the passenger seat happens to drop a stone out of the window. If she drops the stone at the instant the truck passes closest to you, the stone hits the ground somewhat to the right of your position somewhat to the left of your position right in front of you, straight below where it was dropped quiz 2/6
Educational innovation EU-policy goal • to achieve a structural increase of 15 per cent more pupils and students in scientific and technical education bij 2010
Educational innovation Major players • Universities and colleges • SURF foundation • Platform Beta Techniek
Educational innovation Key elements of solution • increased affinity with science and technology in the entire population • local approach; primary, secondary and higher education
Educational innovation Key elements of solution • involving companies; effective deployment of the talented professionals • broader competencies, particular attention to women and ethnic minorities
Imagine a wagon with truly frictionless wheels sitting at rest on level ground. To get this wagon moving, you would have to exert a push larger than the wagon’s weight larger than the wagons inertia of any magnitude quiz 3/6
Can e-learningmake a difference? Themes in e-learning • Competency based learning & e-portfolio • Collaborative learning & gaming • Interactive teaching materials • New media
Can e-learningmake a difference? Connecticut, online assessment tool for competency based learning • inform possible students about a S&T program • assess new students (remediation) • visualize development of competences and skills throughout the program (indicators)
A bicyclist coasts without pedaling on a level road. Why does the cyclist eventually come to rest? all moving objects naturally come to rest friction steadily slows down the bike friction eventually overpowers the force keeping the bicycle moving the force of the bike’s initial motion wears out B and D C and D quiz 4/6
Imagine that you jump from a tree to the ground. Why do you come to rest when you reach the ground? gravity stops acting on you when you reach the ground your feet push the ground; that push stops you anything that is falling naturally comes to rest when it reaches the ground friction the ground pushes up your feet quiz 5/6
New initiatives Platform Beta Techniek, SURF • New program of substantial grants, emphasis on scaling up • Coordination of S&T renewal, through SIG’s and communities
New initiatives Universities • Major shift in S&T towards broader programs (major/minor), and demand driven education • Emergence of multi-discplinary programs, LST and Engineering & Management, BioInformatics
What is the actual S&T problem to solve for SURF (and EduCause and JISC and the like…)? • Should further educational innovation be aimed at S&T at all?