At a workshop on the LOUIS competency framework on 9 April, teachers will be guided on how to systematically strengthen students' interdisciplinary skills. The workshop is organized by the Aurora universities alliance.
The long-term goal of the Aurora universities is that teaching should have a direct social impact. As a basis for that goal, the universities propose teaching methods that share the promotion of social awareness, responsibility and interdisciplinary competence of students.
Sandra Berg Cepero, project manager for Aurora teaching at the Division of Academic Affairs, says the focus of the Aurora universities on students' interdisciplinary skills is directly in line with Aurora's educational vision of empowering students. "Aurora's societal-based approach to teaching aims for graduated students having acquired key skills to face challenges in life and work. All societies are facing changes of various kinds; the digital revolution, climate change and the increasing number of refugees.
These are all challenges we are aware of and every effort is made to respond correctly for successful solutions. We need competent individuals with interdisciplinary skills to deal with a changing world. Social responsibility, initiative and empathy are examples of assets that we would like to see students take with them from Aurora Universities' studies“.
Sandra highlights the LOUIS Competence Framework as one of three tools Aurora teachers are offered to promote students' interdisciplinary competencies. "The advantages of LOUIS lie in its simple language and concise explanations of competencies. It makes it easier for teachers to put competence into words so that students can understand. Another important element is that students gain an understanding of the skills they acquire from courses. Common understanding is a prerequisite for success and that is where LOUIS's strengths lie".
The Aurora universities have regularly held workshops on LOUIS for their teachers and how to implement it in teaching. The workshop on 9 April will be led by three academic teachers with extensive experience using LOUIS at other Aurora universities. "At the workshop, our teachers have the opportunity to meet other teachers with extensive experience in using LOUIS in teaching. It is invaluable to have all three of them together and no one should miss out on such an opportunity", says Sandra.
Last year, a successful workshop on LOUIS was held at the University of Iceland, focusing on the theoretical part of the LOUIS competency framework. Sandra says that the workshop now will primarily be practical, focusing on how the LOUIS tool can make interdisciplinary skills tangible, both in theory and in practise.
The LOUIS workshop is advertised in UI's event calendar, but the number of seats is limited.
Other Aurora opportunities offered to UI staff can be found on UI Aurora Website under Upcoming Aurora Opportunities. Questions on the LOUIS workshop and other opportunities can be directed to aurora@hi.is.