As an assistant professor in the School of Business and Economics, I mainly teach business administration students, often with a technology angle. Yet I wanted to expand my skills and learn how to teach professionals effectively. After all, there is a big difference between students and professionals: professionals bring their work experience into the classroom, have a different way of communicating and expect the lesson to be directly relevant to their practice.
Why this course
I wanted to further develop my skills in teaching professionals. Professionals have a different dynamic than students: they combine learning with their daily work and bring their own practical experience. For me, it was important to learn how to respond to that.
What appealed to you most?
The diversity of the participants. There were people teaching on very different topics, such as pensions or legal issues. That made it incredibly informative: you see how others explain complex topics simply and can exchange best practices. In addition, the networking aspect was valuable - you get to know people from other fields and exchange ideas on how to activate professionals.
How do you apply what you learn?
Currently, I don't teach professionals yet, but I now know how to adapt my teaching. Instead of starting with long theoretical introductions, I will soon start with cases from their own practice. Professionals already have a solid foundation, so you can start at a higher level and encourage more reflection.
The difference between students and professionals
With students, you often start with the basics, because they have little practical experience. Professionals do have that experience, so you can work more with their own cases and reflection. The course paid a lot of attention to this: who is your target group, how do you communicate with them, and how do you activate them?
What makes this course special?
The course was very practical. We were not only given theory, but also tools and formats that we could use immediately. The trainers created a safe learning environment where everyone felt comfortable sharing experiences and asking questions. There was a lot of trust and a pleasant atmosphere.
Would you recommend this course?
Yes, absolutely. The programme offers insight, practical tools and a nice atmosphere. It is hands-on and not dry; you experience for yourself what good teaching of professionals looks like. For me, it was an eye-opener and a valuable investment.
My role as a teacher
I want to be a reliable and committed facilitator. My goal is to create a learning environment where participants feel safe to ask questions, make mistakes and receive feedback. In this way, they gain more self-confidence and new insights that they can immediately apply in their work.
