ECTN Working group Developing Independent Learners in Chemistry Report Madrid Meeting March 2006 Nataša Brouwer Universiteit van Amsterdam ECTN Annual Conference & ECTN Association Meeting 2006

Eurobachelor competences have the ability to gather and interpret relevant scientific data and make judgements that include reflection on relevant scientific and ethical issues have the ability to communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to informed audiences have competences which fit them for entry-level graduate employment in the general workplace, including the chemical industry have developed those learning skills that are necessary for them to undertake further study with a sufficient degree of autonomy life long learning Eurobachelor students will

Focus of the Madrid Meeting 1. organisation of education process 2. didactics (art of teaching) 3. assessment 4. computers and ICT

1.Organisation of education process How does the education process have to change? What is the role of the teacher? When should the development process begin? Who is involved in developing independent learners?

Educational process flexible educational process separated working forms guided tutorials closed experiments teacher-centredstudent-centred

Three actors in developing independent learners students teachers faculty responsibility for own development teaching methods that stimulate independent learning dissemination of good practices publishing facilitation of educational change teachers training support: experts and funding recognition of innovative teacher

2. Didactics (art of teaching) Which teaching methods support the independent learning process? How can practical courses help to develop independent learners? Which skills need attention?

Teaching methods interactive teaching approaches integration of traditional teaching methods open assignments, group work problem oriented learning scaffolding research oriented lab courses competence oriented teaching knowledge, skills, attitudes reflection and metacognition

Good practice: Studio course UvA, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Good practice: Problem solving cooperative learning in problem solving group work problem solver, sceptic, checker and recorder rotation of roles concept maps positive interdependence individual accountability: share of the work and mastering all material face-to-face interaction interpersonal skills: leadership, decision-making, communication and conflict management self-assessment / reflection of group functioning Department of Material and Earth Science, Polytechnic University of the Marche, Italy

Skills that need attention Two documents in Bologna process report of the project Tuning Educational Structures in Europe: generic competences subject-specific skills cognitive abilities The ECTN working group on Core Practical Skills (1999) defined the practical skills including working to deadlines, report writing, safety awareness and team work Working group: Developing independent learners in chemistry generic competences and subject-specific skills and cognitive abilities should be developed during the subject-specific courses from the first year of study study skills include time management skills, thinking skills, working with others, and reflection skills needs attention

Focus of the Madrid Meeting 1. Organisation of education process 2. Didactics (Art of teaching) 3. Assessment 4. Computers and ICT

3. Assessment Does the assessment process need to be adapted? How can the problem of heterogeneous pre- knowledge of students be approached?

Assessment strategies assessment strategies reflect the changes in teaching methods and integration of skills competence based self assessment peer assessment more flexible curriculum heterogeneous pre-knowledge

Pre-knowledge heterogeneous pre-knowledge lack of pre-knowledge in mathematics a problem in chemistry courses brush up on pre-knowledge student takes the responsibility flexible university makes opportunities at different stages in the curriculum teachers and peers give feedback

Good practice: “Students’ Maths Learning Centre“ a drop-in centre that provides assistance with Maths on line support system encourages students to become independent autonomous learners Dublin Institute of Technology, Ireland

Good practice: “Brushing Up With the Web project“ joint project of three Dutch universities flexible approach, different educational scenario’s ICT Special Interest Group on Math pre-knowledge Example Quantum chemistry: just in time brush up on pre-knowledge in mathematics regular self-assessment of pre-knowledge on-line tests based on computer algebra feed back on the process by the teacher extra help by a tutor UvA, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Good practice: “Brushing Up With the Web project“ UvA, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands

4. Computers and ICT The role of computers and ICT communication synchronous, asynchronous on line collaboration resources: information management, literacy skills computers as tools: simulations, modeling, solving real life open problems tests and surveys, self-study quizzes electronic learning platforms, 24/7 principle

Good practice: “European Virtual Seminar“ 16 universities cases about sustained development in Europe interdisciplinary groups on line collaboration Universities in Europe

Recommendations I. Organisation of education process education process changes from teacher-directed to student-directed three actors are involved in this process: the student, the teacher and the faculty development of independent learners begins in the first year of the programme of study more recognition for the teacher and extra funding

Recommendations II. Didactics interactive learning approach, problem based and inquiry based learning competence oriented and self directing education process development of the generic and subject-specific skills integral part of the subject-specific courses. feed back from teachers, coaches and peers on the development scaffolding teaching strategy, especially in the first study year. reflection and metacognition

Recommendations III. Assessment shift to competence based assessment project reports and presentations on outcomes also part of the assessment process concept mapping special attention for heterogenic background knowledge

Recommendations IV. Computers and ICT access according to 24/7 principle information management and literacy skills within subject-courses different online resources including primary literature (evaluation of quality and relevance) computers as research tools: real and more complex open problems. time and place independent communication with peers, teachers and experts online collaboration in interdisciplinary groups online diagnostic tests to assess pre-knowledge

The working group Dr Bill Byers: University of Ulster (Group Leader) Dr Bill Byers: University of Ulster (Group Leader) Prof Carlaxel AnderssonLund University Prof Carlaxel AnderssonLund University Dr Natasa BrouwerUniversity of Amsterdam Dr Natasa BrouwerUniversity of Amsterdam Prof Liberato CadelliniUniversita Politecnica delle Marche Prof Liberato CadelliniUniversita Politecnica delle Marche Dr Peter ChildsUniversity of Limerick Dr Peter ChildsUniversity of Limerick Dr Odilla FinlaysonDublin City University Dr Odilla FinlaysonDublin City University Dr Claire McDonnellDublin Institute of Technology Dr Claire McDonnellDublin Institute of Technology Dr Ilka ParchmannUniversity of Oldenburg Dr Ilka ParchmannUniversity of Oldenburg Prof Jesus SantamariaComplutense University, Madrid Prof Jesus SantamariaComplutense University, Madrid Prof Kristiina WahalaUniversity of Helsinki Prof Kristiina WahalaUniversity of Helsinki Dr Hazel WilkinsRobert Gordon University Dr Hazel WilkinsRobert Gordon University Dr Jonny WoodwardUniversity of Leicester Dr Jonny WoodwardUniversity of Leicester