Coaching plays an important role in the development of (early-career) lecturers within the BKO (Basic Teaching Qualification) trajectory. But after this initial phase, the coaching aspect of teaching is often forgotten. “In an increasingly complex academic landscape, with growing student numbers, many students lose that personal connection with their supervisors,” says education expert and trainer Consuela Cambridge. “That’s exactly where opportunities lie for lecturers.”
To help lecturers navigate this, Cambridge developed the workshop CTL Short: Coaching Students, a compact 1.5-hour session that offers hands-on tools to enhance your student guiding skills.
No one-size-fits-all approach
According to Cambridge, good coaching starts with conversation. And especially listening. “Every student is different. If you always use the same approach, you’ll eventually hit a wall,” she says. Differences in autonomy, motivation, and learning goals call for supervision that is tailored to the individual.
“When you learn how to do that, supervision becomes not just more effective, but also more enjoyable, for both you and your student. You avoid frustration, boost motivation, and save time, precisely because you respond to what the other person needs.”
Don’t wait for things to go wrong
Effective supervision also requires clear expectations. Cambridge: “Don’t wait for things to go wrong. Set expectations from the start: what would you like to achieve, what can I offer, and how can we make it work?” By formalising these in a working agreement, both you and your student take more ownership.
“But it’s not just about the agreement,” she emphasises. “It’s mostly about the conversation beforehand. What does this student need, and how can I respond to that as a supervisor?” Students also join the workshop, to ensure their perspective is directly included.
Guided by VU Amsterdam values
“By truly seeing the person behind the student and tailoring your guidance accordingly, you create a learning environment where students feel seen and taken seriously,” says Cambridge. “That strengthens their ownership, and yours as a lecturer, of course.”
“And that’s exactly what our Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam’s teaching vision aims for: education that is personal, open, and responsible.”
Learn to coach together, in just one short session
“What I really value in these sessions is the exchange with colleagues. You recognise situations, feel reassured, or gain new insights,” says Cambridge. “You also learn how to engage with all kinds of students, from those who are just-passing to top-of-the-class.”
Join us on 8 July!
Want to learn how to guide your students more effectively, while saving time and energy, and improving quality? Sign up now for the workshop on 8 July from 11:00 to 12:30 in the VU Education Lab (NU 1A-25).