Idea: Science promotes lesson pleasure in VWO
At Carmel College de Thij, pre-university students already have a taste of the university. They can earn credits for science modules from which they can choose.
Image: Angeliek de Jonge
In many schools, general science seems to die a grim after the government abolished it as a compulsory subject. Not at the Twents Carmel College de Thij in Oldenzaal. In fact, teachers Rudy Jonker and Koen Nijhuis decided to renew the subject in 5 VWO in terms of content, pedagogy and didactic. They call scientific education (r) evolution their initiative. “We want to better prepare students for scientific education by allowing them to choose from modules and give them credits instead of grades,” says Jonker. Nijhuis: “Many pupils pass through the program quite easily and have never really learned to learn. The metacognitive skills that are needed to direct your own learning process are therefore also important to develop. ”
Chimpanzee Policy
With a grant from the Teachers Development Fund (LOF), they are both given half a day a week to develop modules and create a timetable in which students from three pre-university classes can choose two hours a week. “It was quite a puzzle, especially from an organizational point of view, but after a year and a half it is now running smoothly”, says Jonker. "The students like to be able to choose and the colleagues are enthusiastic."
There are fixed modules such as 'What is science?' and elective modules such as 'Chimpanzee Politics' and 'Medical Ethics'. Each module earns points and at the end the students must have obtained at least sixty points. The more modules they complete, the more points. “It does require some guidance in choosing,” says Jonker. “Some sign up for everything, others let it be. Pupils also have to get used to preparing, so that we can look up the floor in class. The great thing is that they even influence what comes up next in class. In the Steven Hawkings module, for example, they can decide for themselves which chapter of his book we will cover. ”
Biologist Rudy Jonker also works as a teacher at Carmel College de Thij and, together with colleague Nijhuis, breathed new life into the subject of natural sciences. Image: Angeliek de Jonge
Where possible, they work in the cross-curricular modules. Darwin could not invent the theory of evolution without economic and geographic knowledge. In our modules we try to establish links with other subjects, so that colleagues can connect to them again ”, says PhD biologist Jonker. Nijhuis, who studied philosophy and theology: “We also bring the world in by establishing a link with current events. For example, we will discuss the book by Dirk de Wachter: 'The art of being unhappy', in which topics such as loneliness and burnout among young people are discussed. This is how we create meaningful education. ”
Because of their different backgrounds, the teachers complement each other, which they believe leads to a unique offering. Nijhuis: “We have also created a sanctuary for ourselves. We can offer innovative education that has our own interests. The trick is not to teach too much, but to opt for activating teaching methods. Reflection, personal development, presentation, it all comes up. ”
And that is catching on, Jonker notes: “Last year I linked game theory to the elections in a module. I had expected ten students, but no fewer than 55 students registered and they all completed it. What you are enthusiastic about yourself is best conveyed as a teacher. Apparently group size does not matter. ”
Feedback
According to the teachers, it produces engaged students, which benefits the enjoyment of teaching. Jonker: “The points system has a motivating effect and gives peace of mind. Pupils are given the opportunity to improve their final assignment on the basis of our feedback and thus show their growth. ” “Giving feedback does take a lot of time, but students like it so much better”, adds Nijhuis. "In this way, school becomes a practice place where mistakes are allowed and where you are not just judged on the result with a grade."
Their enthusiasm is contagious. More freedom of choice within other subjects is now on the agenda at their location and other schools are also showing interest. "Everything stands or falls with a few enthusiastic teachers who want to take this up and a school management who facilitates this in time and space," Jonker thinks. Nijhuis: “Furthermore, it is just a matter of starting and solving the problems when you encounter them. It is also a great testing ground for us to gain a lot of new experience. ”
