1: is there an effective and good mix of face-to-face and online learning activities?
In blended education, you strive for an optimal combination of offline- and online learning activities. The aim is to reap the benefits of both and offer a varied and flexible learning experience. The face-to-face activities are the most essential moments for your students to interact with each other and with you as a teacher. Making the most of these moments promotes an in-depth understanding of the material, social connection, questioning and real-time feedback.
For example, online activities give you the opportunity for online collaboration, peer feedback, information search, and data collection. Is the integration of these two elements in your teaching a well-thought-out synergy? Are the choices for both based on specific learning objectives of the course?
2: does your teaching contain activating work forms?
By using activating work forms involves your students in the learning process to encourage independence, collaboration, and problem-solving. As a result, they acquire knowledge more actively, develop a better understanding and thus a deeper and more sustainable learning outcome. The best way to do this is to use a wide variety of teaching methods. In your teaching, do you provide enough opportunities for students to think independently and participate actively? Do you promote cooperation and interaction between them? Do you use a variety of activating work forms that fit the learning objectives?
3: are digital tools deliberately chosen?
Selecting appropriate e-learning tools is crucial for effective teaching, to enhance interaction, engagement, and your students' learning experience. In doing so, it is important that the tools selected specifically address learning objectives and learning needs, such as collaboration platforms for group work, interactive simulations for practical experiences, and feedback tools for formative assessment. Are the tools you deploy deliberately chosen to support the intended learning objectives? Are the tools licensed by VU? Are the tools user-friendly and accessible? View the overview of VU Tools for education.
4: do self-study and teaching sessions reinforce each other?
When teaching sessions and self-study are balanced, they reinforce each other and promote deep learning. An example of such an approach is the teaching concept of 'flipping the classroom', where students study the material prior to the teaching session, for example by watching knowledge clips. This leaves more time during the teaching sessions for discussions, practical application and questions about the material. This way, students have the opportunity to independently choose how, where, when and how long they want to study the material. Because they already acquire the basic knowledge before the teaching session, you can use the sessions to enrich and deepen it. In your teaching, do you offer clear guidelines and resources for self-study? Are the teaching sessions interactive and do they encourage in-depth application of the knowledge? Read more about ways to promote that students do their self-study assignments.
5: is there constructive alignment?
In constructive alignment, you carefully align learning objectives, learning activities and assessments, so that they support and reinforce each other. For example, check whether the learning objectives are clearly formulated, and are in line with the knowledge and skills to be learned. Do the learning activities provide sufficient opportunity for your students to develop and apply this knowledge and skills? Do you actually assess these knowledge and skills in your assessment?
Want to know more? Read about constructive alignment.
6: is the education accessible to all students?
It is essential to create an inclusive learning environment, where every student has equal opportunities to participate and succeed. Accessible education takes into account students' different physical and psychological abilities. Think, for example, of students with visual, auditory or motor disabilities, or needs that arise, for example, from neurodivergence such as ADHD, autism, or dyslexia. Are learning materials and resources accessible to students with different disabilities? Are alternatives available to increase accessibility, such as subtitles, transcripts, and font size?
Want to know more about accessibility? View insights and inspiration for inclusive education on the Expertise Centre for Inclusive Education (ECIO) website, and the VU Canvas Café website Make Canvas Accessible.
7: do you provide a safe learning climate?
A safe learning environment ensures that your students feel safe to ask questions, share ideas and express themselves. Therefore, provide clear rules of conduct and standards that promote respect and inclusiveness. Encourage active listening, respectful communication and recognise and value different perspectives. In doing so, try to set a good example yourself and use the Mixed Classroom Model, for example. Are there clear rules, and do you encourage students to listen actively and interact respectfully? Is there an open and supportive atmosphere in which students feel safe?
Want to know more? Read more about mixed classroom techniqes on the VU Education Lab Knowledge Base-website.
8: does your teaching encourage autonomy and self-direction?
For the learning process, it is important that your students are given the space to think independently, make choices and take responsibility. This creates ownership and they become more intrinsically motivated. Therefore, actively involve your students in their own learning experience, for instance through self-directed learning or project-based assignments. Does your teaching offer enough space for this? Do you encourage your students' autonomy by letting them make their own choices? Does it meet different needs, backgrounds, and motivations?
9: does teaching encourage interaction among students and with you?
Interaction with each other, and with you as a teacher, contributes to your students' learning process: they discover new perspectives, share knowledge and support each other in understanding and processing lesson material. This ensures greater engagement and active participation during the learning process, resulting in deeper understanding and better learning outcomes. In addition, interaction promotes connection with each other, with you as a teacher and with the subject. It also develops important social skills such as cooperation, discussion, active listening and respectful interaction with each other. Do you deploy interactive work forms and tools to promote this? Do you ensure that all students participate in discussions and knowledge exchange? Is there room for questions, ideas and peer feedback?
10: is there a link to relevant societal issues?
It is essential that your teaching connects to the realities and challenges of today's society. This gives your students the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills they have learned in a broad and meaningful context. Because they see the relevance of the subject in their own living environment, this stimulates their motivation and involvement, and transfer takes place. Do you use current and relevant examples and applications in your teaching? Do you encourage students to think critically and discuss social issues? Is there room for them to contribute their own perspectives and solutions?
11: does the study load match the number of hours planned?
A balanced study load is an important factor for an optimal learning experience and the prevention of overload. Therefore, ensure that the number of hours planned in the curriculum is proportional to the expected time investment. Take into account the complexity and nature of the learning activities, and also consider individual differences among students and the learning needs they may have. Is there a balanced distribution of the study load across the different components of the course? Do you take individual differences into account? Is there enough flexibility to adapt the study load to the different needs?
Complete the checklist yourself? Use the VU-proof education checklist!