Start to teach: Taking steps in your professional development as a teacher

For all PhD students who have an interest in teaching. Compulsory for PhD Scholarship students who want to teach.

PhD students who have a teaching activity during their PhD training program and are actively teaching during the ‘Start to teach’ course. English language skills at a sufficient level to present and to participate in discussions with peers is a requirement

The training will start a few weeks before the start of your teaching activities. The assignments and training sessions will continue during your teaching activities to enable on-the-job reflection. Practical assignments will be provided via Nestor.

As a PhD student, teaching can be part of your training or job description. ‘Start to teach’ is aimed at the first principles of being a teacher, through a series of workshops filled with exercises and assignments that will support you in planning and preparing your teaching activities, involving and activating students, giving feedback and marking exams and assignments (see our course pamphlet). Note that preparation of assignments is required before each meeting. These assignments are directly related to your teaching activities.

Please choose the set of four training sessions with a Start date which best coincides with the start of your teaching activities:

Semester 1a/Block 1:
Episode 1: Thursday 3 September 2020 (9.30-16.30)
Episode 2: Thursday 17 September 2020 (9.30-13.00)
Episode 3: Thursday 1 October 2020 (9.30-13.00)
Episode 4: Thursday 15 October 2020 (9.30-13.00)

Semester 1b/Block 2:
Episode 1: Tuesday 3 November 2020 (9.30-16.30)
Episode 2: Tuesday 17 November 2020 (9.30-13.00)
Episode 3: Tuesday 1 December 2020 (9.30-13.00)
Episode 4: Tuesday 15 December 2020 (9.30-13.00)

Semester 2a/Block 3:
Episode 1: Thursday 28 January 2021 (9.30-16.30)
Episode 2: Thursday 11 February 2021 (9.30-13.00)
Episode 3: Thursday 4 March 2021 (9.30-13.00)
Episode 4: Thursday 18 March 2021 (9.30-13.00)

Semester 2b/Block 4:
Episode 1: Tuesday 6 April 2021 (9.30-16.30)
Episode 2: Tuesday 20 April 2021 (9.30-13.00)
Episode 3: Thursday 6 May 2021 (9.30-13.00)
Episode 4: Tuesday 18 May 2021 (9.30-13.00)

42 hours (1,5 ECTS); preparation of assignments is required before meeting attendance

After completing the training you will be able to:

Preparation

1. Describe the design of your course, including the learning objectives, and the teaching and assessment methods that are chosen for the course you will teach
2. Describe the outline and preparation of a tutorial or lab work
3. Define and plan your own responsibilities in collaboration with the course coordinator
4. Make your expectations of students explicit, in order to overcome problems with cultural differences

Carrying out interactive lectures and tutorials

1. Teach interactive lectures and tutorials to small groups (20-25) of students, which includes: providing explanations, leading different types of conversations with students, formulate clear assignments for students, and adapt to prior knowledge and expectations
2. Prepare materials for students
3. Solve problems (in the international classroom) in order to create an inclusive classroom environment

Feedback and Assessment

1. Provide feedback on student work (in a verbal and written form)
2. Mark student work reliably and transparently

'The environment was positively challenging. I liked to do the course with people not in my field, know their problems , and have an external point of view to solve mine.'

'To be a good teacher, one has to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of oneself. A good teacher is not only knowledgeable, but also good at giving this knowledge to other people with various personalities and backgrounds. Knowing the strengths and weaknesses of yourself, allows to assess your quality as a teacher at various situations and if necessary, make adjustments in behaviour.'