Innovation and grants
If you’re inspired to introduce innovations or have plans to update a course or learning pathway, the tips and starting points given here may be helpful.
Small-scale implementation
The possibilities are endless, but you can improve the learning experience of your students with just a few minor adjustments. Some ideas you might consider include:
- Experiment with a variety of active teaching formats [link] and use supporting tools such as Wooclap [link].
- Flip the Classroom: Ask students to prepare for the class with knowledge clips, and use contact time for in-depth learning. Some helpful tips are given here [link].
- Digital tools: Use tools like FeedbackFruits for peer feedback and collaboration [link].
- Encourage creativity: use different assignment formats, for example a video or podcast project [link].
- This page describes a 5-step plan for designing (or redesigning) your course.
If you’d like to brainstorm about the right approach or would like more support, please contact ECOLe [link]. Our advisors can assist you themselves or refer you to the right specialists.
The professional development section [link] also offers a range of interesting starting points. Even a single workshop or short training session with colleagues can be a source of much inspiration, so be sure to regularly check the various upcoming expertise sessions.
Examples of projects
A selection of some larger educational innovation projects of the faculty’s teachers in previous years is presented here:
- 2022:
- How can I help my students to recognise their unique skills? – Erasmus+ project ASSET-H
- Actively working with the teaching material in the classroom – Paz Gonzales
- Improving student reading comprehension through interactive texts – Eric Storm
- The Activating Podcast Method – Astrid Van Weyenberg
- Break the familiar routine of papers and write a blog post! – Yasco Horsman and Astrid Van Weyenberg
- Scientific journal for and by students – Paz Gonzalez
- 2021:
- Flipping the classroom – Ben Arps
- Leiden Graduate Journal & Master’s students create Graduate Journal – Nanne Timmer and Astrid Van Weyenberg
- Practising International Studies – Sarita Koendjbiharie
- 2020: Challenging the digital natives – Sara Brandellero
Grants for larger innovations
Several different funding options for educational innovation are available, such as:
- Comenius grant: The Comenius programme offers grants to teachers who want to set up innovative teaching projects. There are three levels of grants: Teaching Fellow, Senior Fellow and Leadership Fellow. You can find more information about the Comenius programme here.
- Erasmus+ and other EU grants: Various EU programmes offer grants for educational innovation projects, such as the Erasmus+ programme.
To find out more about the options, please contact ECOLe for advice.
You can also look at the projects of Leiden University teachers who received a Comenius grant in the past: