Active Blended Learning

What was the main goal of your project?
The primary goal was to use the Quality Funds to structurally enhance education by adopting Active Blended Learning, a key component of VU Amsterdam 2021 Educational Vision. Blended learning engages students by offering an optimal mix of on-campus and online education, based on learning objectives. This approach challenges students with active and meaningful learning tasks, where both forms of education complement each other. The Active Blended Learning (ABL) Quality Plan project, carried out by the VU Centre for Teaching and Learning (VU CTL), supports programmes and lecturers in making this transition.

What concrete results have you achieved with your project?
In recent years, all faculties have worked towards implementing Active Blended Learning (ABL), ranging from individual sessions to entire courses and curricula, tailored to the needs of each faculty. Enthusiastic lecturers have developed successful best practices, and educational leaders actively recognise and support the importance of ABL. VU Centre for Teaching and Learning (VU CTL), where I was responsible for this project, provides faculties with support, from pedagogical tools to intensive guidance in curriculum redesign. This support structure has now become a permanent part of the assistance offered to lecturers and faculties by the VU CTL. Active Blended Learning has been fully embraced as a fundamental aspect of effective educational design.

What did you personally find the most beautiful or special moment during this project? 
During the ABL project, it became clear that the various university-wide initiatives within the Quality Plan - such as Mixed Classroom, A Broader Mind, and ABL - are deeply interconnected. The ambitions of the University Library, with their focus on developing and making digital (open) learning materials accessible, further strengthen ABL. I found the dynamic collaboration across faculty boundaries to improve education truly special. Also, the structured support provided to lecturers during Breakouts and design workshops has been incredibly energising.

How has this project contributed to the improvement of education at VU Amsterdam?
VU Amsterdam has a strong educational vision, and the ABL project brings this vision to life. In the (re)design of education, key initiatives such as Mixed Classroom, A Broader Mind, Active Blended Learning, and the renewed assessment vision come together. Thanks to the collaboration between VU CTL and the faculties, the student learning process is placed at the heart of education. Our teaching encourages students to actively think, engage, and reflect, both individually and in groups, as Active Blended Learning has been thoughtfully integrated as a core component of educational design.