Workshops Learning In Communities

Workshopleader(s)

Hugo Hoofwijk (Consultant de Groene Link) and Derk Jan Stobbelaar (Teacher Nature & Landscape Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences)

Workshop description

Aim of the workshop is to jointly explore how people can learn together in participatory projects: the researchers learn from (and with) the knowledge users and vice versa. The workshop consists of three phases. In the first phase, we will describe the sequential steps in a participatory project and the contribution of the groups involved. We will illustrate this with some recent science shop projects. In the second phase the workshop participants will, based on their own experiences, describe in duos which knowledge is generally produced by the stakeholders. The participants will also analyze to what extend co creation of knowledge is happening. In the third phase we will discuss the question whether or not this can be considered as ‘learning’ (so that in the future stakeholders will act differently), and who has learnt what. Here we will make a link with Arjan Wals' Keynote. To conclude the workshop, we will ponder over the relationship between learning and empowerment.

Workshopleader(s)

Jeroen Kruit (Researcher, Alterra Wageningen UR) in association with Francien de Jonge (Teacher Science & Society, Animal Sciences Group) and Bram ten Cate (Policy Officer WOT Nature & Environment)

Workshop description

Civil society is subject to transition processes of decreasing government activity and increasing civil engagement to take up roles and responsibilities. The way these civil initiatives organize themselves is diverse and often they break with existing structures of government (social innovation). Fitting the integrative way of work of self-organisation initiatives often proves to be difficult with existing policy making. This is the playing field of many science shop projects.

How can we translate practice based experiences from science shop projects to more general findings (concepts) that can facilitate processes of transition that our civil society is undergoing?

Workshopleader(s)

Hansje Eppink (Teacher Education and Competence Studies) and Blair van Pelt (External collaborator Department of Soil Quality)

Workshop description

In this workshop we will share the Masterclass Organic Agriculture as a method for creating a community of learners. This case-study is a starting point for group discussions, which provide a space for sharing experiences and ideas on how to overcome challenges and make improvements when fostering a community of learners.
The Masterclass Organic Agriculture links the content of the courses, the thesis and relevant thematic events and runs throughout the entire 2-year Organic Agriculture Masters program. This common thread that is woven through their MSc fosters a community of learners in which students learn from the knowledge and experience of others and students have the opportunity to transfer their insights and skills to each other. This workshop will cover:

•    Course design/set-up

•    Benefits for students

•    Challenges for the teachers

Workshopleader(s)

Jifke Sol (PhD-Researcher Education and Competence Studies, Consultant Sol-Cocreatie)

Workshop description

Collaborative and transformative learning in multi-actor innovation networks of scientific actors and societal actors is very challenging. It promises the creation of new knowledge and action based on diversity. But the risk of misunderstanding, distrust and break down is high due to vague communication and unexpressed assumptions about ourselves and others. During innovation projects and transition trajects we experience some successful incidents and rather unsuccessful incidents. By looking closer into specific incidents, through asking ourselves deeper questions, we get answers that surprise ourselves. By being reflexive we can discover hidden implicit lessons for the future, in order to do better things instead of doing things better.

Workshopleader(s)

Stijn Heukels (Education Institute) in association with

Carlijn Wentink (Teacher at Health and Society) and Lammert Kooistra (Teacher at Laboratory of Geo-information Science and Remote Sensing)

Workshop description

During this workshop teachers will tell about their experiences with ‘Learning in Communities’ and how they implemented this in their education. What are the success points of implementing ‘Learning in Communities’ and which challenges did they face? What are the learned lessons and how to deal with them? And overall what is the added value of ‘Learning in Communities to their education and the learning process of our students.

Workshopleader(s)

Thomas Lans (Assistant Professor Education and Competence Studies Group) and Bart Doorneweert (Researcher, LEI Wageningen UR)

Workshop description

In this workshop we will give you a sneak preview on what it takes to work in entrepreneurial projects. In a pressure cooker set-up we introduce several tools that enable analyzing of and communicating in entrepreneurial projects, commissioned by external parties

Workshopleader(s)

Judith Gulikers (Researcher Education and Competence Studies Group), Carla Oonk (Education coordinator, Lecturer, Researcher Education and Competence Studies Group) and/or Renate Wesselink (Assistant Professor Education and Competence Studies Group)

Workshop description

How about the size, depth, and usability of your own network for the benefit of your courses? How to support your students in their collaboration with multiple stakeholders?
This workshop provides you with (1) insight in recently developed workshops student-stakeholder collaboration as used in Regional Learning Environments, and (2) practical experience with some networking techniques (e.g. power field analysis; facilitating a stakeholder meeting) to use your own network into your courses, and/or support students in the use of their networks.

Workshopleader(s)

Riti Hermán Mostert (Teacher at Knowledge Technology and Innovation), Irene Jurna (Master student Communication Science), Petra Bergsma (Master student Communication Science), Anneke Koeslag (Master student Health and Society) and Maria Hollander (Master student Communication Science)

The facilitation team consists of teacher and students, both perspectives will be included.

Workshop description

Being motivated means that we get into action, are moved by something or that we start reflecting. In this workshop you will discover what works for you and what motivates and drives you. Through exercises, using our imagination and visioning of 'what does motivation in my group look like' we will generate ideas and tools for your work setting. Oftentimes we can use more of what we are motivated by ourselves to encourage others.  After this workshop you will have an idea of what motivates students and teachers in a group setting, and have an idea of possible attitudes and tools to encourage the group.

Workshopleader(s)

Josette Jacobs (Assistant professor Philosophy Group)

Workshop description

On the basis of an oil painting your attention will be put on learning in communities and the importance of it. Community Based Learning is most of the time focussed on complex societal issues. In addressing these problems it revolves around ‘mutual understanding’. A theme that is also central in our teaching and internalized in eg MSc courses as the Academic Master Cluster and the Honours program. We teach students to work together. But how do you do that? This painting let you experience that a hermeneutic approach is the basis of inter- and trans-disciplinary and intercultural cooperation. And the subject of mutual understanding is of course also applicable to the culture that we have in mind with the strategic plan of Wageningen University & Research Centre.

Workshopleader(s)

Ulrike Wild (Director Online Learning)

Workshop description

Share 1st experience of large online communities in MOOCs: positive how students support each other at forums and how students with different backgrounds and levels learn from each other. Useful tips: how do you set up and create such an online community, what should you do, how do stimulate discussion and peer review and how do you motivate students, what do you do in small groups vs. large groups.

Workshopleader(s)

Gerda Wink (student guidance at ACT and AMPHI Academic Collaborative Centre)

Workshop description

‘Wageningen University wants to be an active learning community of lecturers and students, in direct relation with the outside world.’ What are differences in knowledge cultures of e.g. science and citizens? What does it take to collaborate in knowledge development with partners in the outside world?