Bart van Klink is a professor of Methods of Law and Legal Science in the Department of Legal Theory and Legal History. Together with two colleagues, he participated in the BREAKOUT offered by the VU Center for Teaching & Learning.
Why this course?
I wanted to work with two colleagues to reflect on the revision of (part of) a course, Legal Skills B. We weren’t satisfied with how it had gone last time and wanted to make it more challenging and interesting for students and for ourselves as instructors. During the year, you don’t always take the time to calmly reflect on the course. It helps to spend two days in a quiet environment, under professional guidance, thinking about this and brainstorming with others.
What appealed to you the most?
I found the discussions with my colleagues the most valuable, during which we occasionally received input from the CTL facilitators. It was also nice to hear each other’s presentations and to give and receive feedback. The setting was pleasant as well; that helps you focus completely.
Are there things you now view or do differently in your work since taking the course?
I’ve started thinking more systematically about how to structure the course. There are three themes that recur every week: source usage, argumentation, and academic writing. This gives the course more structure. I’ve also started thinking differently about the potential use of generative AI in exercises. We received useful tips on this from colleagues in other faculties.
Would you recommend this course?
Yes, especially to instructors who are facing a major challenge and want to radically revamp a course, but aren’t quite sure how to go about it yet. The course helps turn general and somewhat unfocused ideas into a concrete plan of action.
Do you have any tips for other participants?
What you give is what you get: the more effort you put in, the more you’ll get out of it. Engage in dialogue with each other, with colleagues from other faculties, and with the CTL facilitators. Be open to feedback from others.
