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“Universities must proactively adopt innovative teaching approaches”

Interview with Sabien Dobbelaere about digital tools and interactive teaching methods.
Sabien Dobbelaere, associate professor at VU Amsterdam, and her team at the School of Business and Economics (SBE) have developed no fewer than 76 knowledge clips. The use of digital tools and interactive teaching methods presents both a challenge and a necessity in today’s educational landscape, a view shared by many educators. Dobbelaere shares her top tips and discusses the impact of the ‘Canon Project’ on education and student learning experiences.

“As a lecturer with over twenty years of experience, I've witnessed the constant changes in higher education first-hand. I also saw how the pandemic accelerated digital transformation. In such a rapidly changing landscape, I believe that universities must offer future-proof education and proactively adopt innovative teaching approaches. Digital tools in education can truly transform learning and the dissemination of knowledge: they can help adapt learning experiences to changing learning environments and the diverse needs of our students, making a university truly future-proof,” says Dobbelaere.

The benefits of knowledge clips
Imagine you open a knowledge clip about the concept of supply and demand in economics. In this video, you see a lively animation of a marketplace where prices and quantities of goods fluctuate. The lecturer explains the core concepts while graphs visually clarify them, allowing students to understand the material better.

Digital knowledge libraries, such as this knowledge clip, are a well-known and effective tool for knowledge dissemination. Compared to traditional teaching methods, knowledge clips promote a sustainable transition to Activating Blended Learning. Dobbelaere explains, “Knowledge clips enable students to learn independently and at their own pace, promoting greater engagement and a better understanding of the material. They also ensure a consistent learning experience by encouraging educators to identify core concepts collectively and define the identity of a curriculum.”

However, implementing this digital teaching method in higher education requires broad support and a systemic, team-based approach. Dobbelaere explains, “My ‘Canon’ team and I chose this approach when developing a ‘digital canon of knowledge’ within the Economics specialization in the Bachelor of Economics and Business Economics (EBE BSc).” Over two years, Dobbelaere's team developed a digital library of no fewer than 76 knowledge clips: “We will continue this approach as we expand the digital canon.”

Portrait photo of Sabien Dobbelaere

Tips for educators who want to create knowledge clips
Developing knowledge clips was a challenging process, according to Dobbelaere: “It was important to establish clear guidelines for content and design and to develop an implementation plan.” She gladly shares some advice for colleagues who wish to start similar Activating Blended Learning projects: 

  • Collaborate with the Center for Teaching & Learning (CTL) for educational advice: “The digital canon pilot was successful thanks to the collaboration with educational advisor Karlien Hoenderdos from the CTL, who played a crucial role in the preparation, recording, and post-production of the knowledge clips.”
  • Be clear about your goals: “Ensure that you communicate the project’s objectives clearly to all involved to create a shared understanding and engagement.”
  • Maintain a positive attitude and enthusiasm towards educational innovations: “Engaging all stakeholders, especially academic staff, is very important.”
  • Be open to taking a step back: “Be willing to revisit earlier project phases to make adjustments and revise the strategy.” 

What do students think?
The Canon team expects that the knowledge clips will help students review important course materials, achieve learning objectives, and study independently at their own pace. “Students clearly appreciate the knowledge clips, as shown by the number of views, but we need to closely monitor activation and interactivity to maximize learning outcomes,” Dobbelaere points out. The team has so far gathered feedback from students through formal evaluations and programme committee meetings, but they plan to involve students more closely in evaluating the project. “Our students are key stakeholders. By actively involving them, we hope to further enhance their learning experience,” says Dobbelaere.

Expansion and future plans
In August, the team began expanding the digital canon to other specializations within the EBE BSc program (Accounting, Finance, and Marketing). They also plan to develop a digital canon for quantitative research skills. “In the long term, we aim to transform the digital canon into open educational resources, which will require close collaboration with the university library and CTL,” Dobbelaere shares. “We are excited to continue developing these digital learning resources to further improve our education.”

Want to learn more? Read this didactic tip about knowledge clips and get started right away. Interested in discovering more digital VU tools? Click here.

"Digital tools in education can truly transform learning and the dissemination of knowledge: they can help adapt learning experiences to changing learning environments and the diverse needs of our students, making a university truly future-proof.”

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