Engagement with society – making progress

Making progress comprises (re-)designing education as well as keeping track of results. But how can you know that you are making progress?  Summarizing the general process of educational design and specific models for curriculum re-design we propose the following three-step approach:

Step 1. Reformulate the (university’s) objectives into questions concerning the current situation (today) and  the desired situation in the future

Step 2. Make the answers to the questions measurable

Step 3. Use the answers as input for further (re-)design

For example:

1) How are students engaged with society today and in the future? Examples of measurable answers: by addressing societal issues in (x) courses; by participating in (x) extra-curricular projects; (%) students who volunteers

2) To what extent are graduates engaged and responsible members of society today and in the future? Examples of measurable answers: (%) graduates with position in public sector

3) How do teachers make relevant connections to societal issues today and in the future? Examples of measurable answers: in (x) lectures/group work/assignments; by having (x) guest lectures

4) How do programs facilitate students’ societal participation today and in future? Examples of measurable answers: by having (x) EC reserved for engaging with society; by (x) organising own societal projects.