The Leiden Education Support Network gains momentum: ‘We want to work on the big themes in education’
Through the new Leiden Education Support Network, the university’s support departments are joining forces to advance educational innovation. Staff can already join four active Special Interest Groups, while an online platform is under development. Project manager Joasia van Kooten and LLInC director Marchien de Mooij explain the latest developments.
Hi Joasia and Marchien. What is the status of the LES Network?
Joasia: ‘We officially got off the ground on June 1, but we had already set things in motion before the grant was approved. We started the first Special Interest Groups, or SIGs, in January. Within these focus groups, teaching staff, education researchers and support staff work together to drive change and action around specific educational themes.
‘There are now four active SIGs: Artificial Intelligence in Education, Inter- and Transdisciplinary Education, Immersive Experiences and Learning Analytics. In addition, we are working to expand our network, for example by providing a starter guide to support new SIGs. We also organise events, such as webinars for teaching and support staff as well as brainstorming sessions with students and faculties on the overarching vision and the various opportunities for developing as an educator. An input session is planned for 25 November, and the first LES Network Conference will be held on 21 January.’
Marchien: ‘Over the next three funding years, we at LLInC aim to build an LES Network that is so strong that it will serve as fertile ground for educational development well into the future, in line with the university’s strategy.’
An LES Network knowledge portal is being developed. What can we expect?
Marchien: ‘It’s an online platform where we aim to bring together the latest information on educational innovation and educator development. We’ll also include faculty information because this is often relevant to everyone. The challenge is that developing a shared vision is proving incredibly complex. We want to make our educator and teaching development programmes more accessible and are now bringing together colleagues who can help shape this.’
Joasia: ‘We’re also exploring ways of sharing inspiring and informative content through the platform, such as blogs, videos, podcasts from the SIGs, as well as examples from faculties. We also want to share faculty events to make it easier for colleagues to invite each other. We hope to lay the first foundations next academic year.’
Why is collaboration so important in promoting educational innovation?
Joasia: ‘Support staff from faculties, teaching staff and colleagues from expertise centres and institutes have been saying for some time that they need more opportunities for knowledge sharing and more support for their professional development. And not second-hand, but through direct interaction between educators, researchers and support staff: brainstorming together and working on overarching themes like inter- and transdisciplinary education. To support this, it’s important that we pool our expertise. Within the LES Network, we’re currently working with the Leiden Teachers’ Academy, LURIS, the ISSC, the Honours Academy and the Teacher Support Desks. ICLON contributes evidence-informed perspectives on the themes addressed within the SIGs and provides advice on applied research.’
Anything else you’d like to say to your colleagues?
Joasia: ‘We’ll be shaping the LES Network together in the coming years. If you are interested in educator development and educator communities at the faculty or interfaculty level, come to the first LES Network input session in PLNT on 25 November. We look forward to meeting you.’
About the Leiden Education Support Network
Before the summer, Leiden University received funding to set up the LES Network. Through this network, the university’s support departments will work together to promote educational innovation. The LES Network has been made possible by funding from NPuls Groeifonds and is coordinated by the Leiden Learning & Innovation Centre (LLiNC).
The official launch of the LES Network will take place on 21 January and will feature presentations and interactive sessions, including on the SIG themes. Visit the website for more information about LLInC and the LES Network.