Education and responsibility

Published in El Pais, 10 October 2020.

This year I have been able to experience teaching at a university in the Netherlands and I have some topics that I want to share with you.

1. Students are given considerable responsibility to read the list of theoretical chapters and scientific articles on their own and the classes focus on practicals and presentations while applying the theory. The exam is only about theory, just like in Bolivia.
2. There is a strong focus to motivate reflective actions in education. With this, we want the student to acquire solid theoretical concepts and exercise and internalize them by performing reflective practices of the theory. The role of the teacher is important because he will help the student to unite theoretical knowledge with practical activities.
3. The role of the teacher is that of a coach who requires theoretical learning and evaluates it; but at the same time, guides closely the application of theory in practice. This does not mean leading the student by the hand and making him read or dictate the steps. The student must assume responsibility to study and ask what she does not understand in the process so that the teacher guides them on the doubts. The process belongs only to the student.
4. As the learning process belongs to the student, if they fail, it is their sole responsibility. The teacher is evaluated for her ability to guide to improve his ability to educate. In Bolivia, the educational level has dropped because teachers are afraid of failing since the student will then misjudge the teacher to get fired. Thus, the educational process is not improved but, the teacher who evaluates whether or not the student could acquire knowledge for the subject is penalized.
5. Virtual education is a contract of responsibility. Both the teacher and the student are required to put time and effort into education. This means that the student also must prepare their class in advance, turn in assignments, and actively sit and listen and ask questions in class. The student cannot contact the teacher outside of established hours while in Bolivia, the students send WhatsApp whenever they want.
6. There are no class recordings. This year it is possible that education will continue to be virtual, but it has been decided not to record the classes. There are three reasons: a) to maintain the privacy of teachers and students, b) to maintain the responsibility of students to attend, b) to maintain interactivity to answer questions.

Many of us hear some say “the university did not teach me anything, I am learning it in my company.” But the company does not hire people to learn but to receive high productivity. It would be good to reflect on what type of education we are giving and how we can better direct it towards productivity.