Study success
SURF is the driving force for educational innovation using ICT, with the aim of improving the quality of higher education. The project grants that we provide enable institutions (both research universities and universities of applied sciences) to set up partnerships to carry out educational innovation projects. These range from projects on only a small scale to major upscaling projects that focus not so much on innovation alone but above all on the utilisation of proven technology. Our current programmes focus on student admissions to higher education, study success, and study choice. In the 1990s, most of the educational innovation projects were small-scale and experimental in nature: 70 in total. The 22 projects of the Nationwide Progamme e-Learning are also focussed on upscaling and actual use.
National Knowledge Database for Basic Maths Skills (NKBW):
An example of a successful educational innovation project |
- Aim: to prevent first-year students dropping out because of weaknesses in algebra.
- Result: a portal with practice and test material for students and instructors.
- Interesting for: instructors who teach students with different levels of knowledge.
- Derived from: combining the results of previous educational innovation projects, for example Brush up Your Maths (Webspijkeren), MathMatch, and Intelligent Feedback.
www.nkbw.nl
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Grants
When allocating a grant, we take account as far as possible of current developments in education. In the 1990s, most of the projects were small-scale and experimental in nature; now, however, they focus increasingly on upscaling and actual use, with institutions utilising ICT strategically. After many years of implementing broad innovation programmes, SURF now increasingly allocates programme-driven grants.
Nationwide Programme e-Learning
One of SURF’s programmes is the
Nationwide Programme e-Learning, which is intended to increase the likelihood of students being successful in higher education. ICT is used to improve intake, progress, and successful completion. The plan involves higher education institutions collaborating with secondary schools and vocational schools to improve the transition from secondary to tertiary education. This is done by utilising successful educational innovations.
The Nationwide Programme e-Learning makes possible the large-scale utilisation of successful methods and tools within education. The programme was commissioned by the Association of Universities in the Netherlands (VSNU), the Netherlands Association of Universities of Applied Sciences (HBO-raad), and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science.
The Nationwide Programma e-Learning commenced in 2006 and involves a total of
22 projects.
Publications
A short movie about the
results of the Nationwide Programma e-Learning can be viewed with English subtitels.
The publication
'Naar een hoger plan' [Going to a Higher Level] shows activities that were carried out in 2007 in the context of the Nationwide Programme e-Learning, including the experience of students and instructors.
Educational Innovation Programme
From 1999 to 2006, SURF implemented an Educational Innovation Programme that deployed subsidies so as to foster the use of ICT-driven innovations in higher education. The focus was not on developing new products but on new ways of learning and teaching. The programme led to institutions carrying out no fewer than 69 challenging, pioneering, and innovative
projects. The publication
Onderwijsvernieuwingsprojecten: 10 jaar innovatie in de praktijk [Educational Innovation Projects: 10 years of Innovation in Practice] gives an idea of the results that were achieved.
For more information about innovation projects, please contact Christien Bok, T +31 (0)30 234 6600.
For more information about the Nationwide Programme e-Learning, please contact Annette Peet, T 030 2346608.