Are you ready to advance your academic and professional skills by guiding fellow students and leading and facilitating group sessions? This course offers you the unique opportunity to merge the VU A Broader Mind programme with your Honours trajectory.
As a participant, you will not only develop and enhance your coaching and teaching skills, but also engage in critical reflection on the themes of the Broader Mind Course. Moreover, the course situates the ideas behind the A Broader Mind programme within the framework of a larger discussion on the future of academic education. What role should universities play in the moral and personal development of their students? You will be challenged to form your own perspective and to develop innovative proposals for the future of university curricula.
As you progress, you will transition from learning and training into guiding others, eventually stepping into the role of a leader and peer educator within the Broader Mind Course yourself. This journey is supported by ongoing theoretical reflection on educational innovation, strengthening both your understanding and your ability to apply these insights in practice.
This course offers a pioneering learning trajectory that connects academic education more closely with personal development, societal challenges, and public debate. You will learn to facilitate group discussions and effectively mentor peers, while developing strong classroom and leadership skills. Throughout the course, you will engage with key concepts such as the Mixed Classroom, Action Research, navigating “Hot Moments” in group settings, and harnessing differences as a resource for learning.
Through a variety of exercises and assignments, you will cultivate the ability to inspire, influence, and motivate both yourself and others. Diverse educational methods are employed, including case- and problem-based learning, training in transformative learning techniques, guided reflection (both individual and group), peer feedback, and presentation skills. These approaches are designed to enhance personal and professional growth in a dynamic learning environment.
The scientific relevance of this course lies in its focus on transformative learning, Bildung, and an interdisciplinary educational approach. By building on a foundation of transformative learning, you are equipped to guide their peers through diverse and critical themes, from human success and failure to poverty and sustainability. The guiding experience combines practical and theoretical training, creating a uniquely effective learning environment.
For more detailed information and course specifics, please visit the 'Curriculum' section at the top of the page.