Inclusive Teaching and Learning in Diverse Classrooms

About

The University of Groningen (the Netherlands) and Stellenbosch University (South Africa) are collaborating on a summer school on inclusive teaching through peer learning and sharing teaching practices. The June edition of the summer school will be taking place in Groningen.

The aim of this summer school is to EQUIP ourselves and each other for inclusive teaching and learning in diverse classrooms. We will focus on the inclusive and international dimension of the participants' teaching practices, the diversity in backgrounds of the participants as a potential resource for teaching and intended learning, and principles that help us to unravel challenges and turn them into opportunities.

This summer school is based on the EQUiiP programme (see also below for more details) and is open for educational developers and lecturers who are interested in Continuing their Professional Development (CPD), integrating inclusive (teaching) practices into course designs and strengthening their network of inclusive practitioners. While we focus on the higher education context, participants from all educational contexts are welcome as well.

Next to obtaining a certificate of participation, participants have the possibility to acquire a digital badge (Proof of Competence) to acknowledge participation and engagement with the content. Learners who have completed a proof of competence can obtain a digital badge via the EduBadges platform managed by SURF— the cooperative of Dutch education and research institutions. The digital badge is stored on this platform and contains metadata, making the content, learning outcomes, study load hours and language of instruction of the educational activity clear and transparent (example). The digital badge is therefore verifiable and can be shared on, for example, a CV or LinkedIn.

Course leader

Catherine Meissner (UG), Estelle Meima (UG), Vernita Beukes (SU), Anika Berning (SU)

Target group

This summer school is designed for lecturers teaching or lecturers that will be teaching in multicultural and diverse classrooms. Participants should be University lecturers with at least one year of teaching experience.

It is expected that the participants have a sufficient command of the English language to actively participate in the discussions and to present their own work in English.

Course aim

After completing this summer school, participants will be able to (based on EQUiiP competence profile):

1. Promote inclusive behaviours

2. Develop and facilitate learner-centred programmes

3. Promote intercultural engagement and effective intercultural relations

4. Enable and embed a global learning experience

5. Embed social responsibility in the curriculum

6. Apply learning from different international and disciplinary contexts

7. Embed the various means of creating, critiquing and exchanging knowledge

8. Engage in critical reflection and continuous professional development

Workload

One week: 35 hours at site
Preparation (optional): 5 hours
Portfolio (optional): 5 hours

The EQUiiP programme (from the EQUiiP platform)
The summer school consists of the following four EQUiiP modules.
- Introduction to the International Classroom
- Internationalising Course Design
- Intercultural Group Dynamics
- The Role of Language

These four modules are supported by the module on Feedback & Reflective Processes, which is integrated into the other four modules and addressed in an optional portfolio assignment. Participants have the option to transfer their learning during the modules to a learning portfolio (in which they take notes) and after the end of the programme, they produce a presentation portfolio which is assessed for certification processes. This will provide the opportunity for participants to make their learning explicit and receive a digital proof of their Continuing Professional Development activities (digital badge certificate) which they will be able to add to their CV. A badge comes with information about the higher education institution that has issued it, the learning outcomes, and assessment that has been applied so that learners can demonstrate their competences.

Participants are given preparatory assignments and will receive a link to a survey they are able to share with their students to include a student perspective on inclusion and diversity that will be discussed during the summer school.

Fee info

€ 650 for UG and ENLIGHT participants