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 and use supporting tools such as Wooclap.
- 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.
- Digital tools: Use tools like FeedbackFruits for peer feedback and collaboration.
- Encourage creativity: use different assignment formats, for example a video or podcast project.
- This page describes a step-by-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. Our advisors can assist you themselves or refer you to the right specialists.
The professional development section 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: