Students taking responsibility for their own learning process

Shaping the Future of "Students Taking Responsibility" 29 August 2024

New Initiatives, Outreach, and Strategic Planning

Welcoming our New PhD Candidate
The meeting began with the introduction of our new PhD candidate Amira who will be focusing on the STR topic, among others from a pedagogical pattern language point of view. Her addition to the team brings new energy and expertise, and the group looks forward to her contributions as she has begun working on this important initiative since September.
Expanding STR Awareness: Education Day & Spotify Podcasts
A significant part of the meeting was dedicated to brainstorming how to raise the profile of the STR initiative. Two potential avenues were highlighted:

1. Education Day: The team suggested leveraging Education Day as a platform to showcase the STR project. This would provide a valuable opportunity to engage with students, educators, and other academic stakeholders, enhancing awareness and interest in the project.
2. Spotify Podcasts: Another exciting idea discussed was using Spotify podcasts as a medium to promote STR. Given the wide reach of podcasts, particularly among younger audiences, the team agreed this could be an innovative way to engage more people with the project. However, the idea also came with the understanding that creating and maintaining a podcast would require significant time and organizational resources. It was proposed that this initiative could potentially become a focus area for our post-doctoral researcher Erdem if he wishes to pursue this direction.

Planning the "100 Days of STR" Event
The team also discussed the upcoming "100 Days of STR" event, focusing on ensuring that it is impactful and well-structured. Several key ideas were brought to the table:

• White Paper Format: One of the most interesting suggestions was to use a white paper format for certain sessions, capturing the outcomes of the discussions and turning them into a formal publication. This would serve as one of the lasting outputs of the event, with the event’s organizational team taking on the responsibility of collecting participants' input and drafting the white paper.
• Content Focus: The team debated the content of the proposed white paper, asking whether it should focus on presenting the TU Delft perspective on responsibility. This sparked a lively discussion about how to best frame the white paper in a way that reflects the broader themes and objectives of the STR initiative.
• Session Objectives and Formats: The group agreed that the "100 Days of STR" should feature more than just journal club-style sessions. Each session should have a clear, predetermined objective, ensuring that participants gain valuable insights and that the event contributes meaningfully to the overall goals of the STR initiative.

Post-Doc’s Preliminary Plan: Focus Groups
Our post-doctoral researcher Erdem presented an initial plan to further explore the STR topic through focus groups. These focus groups, involving both students and educators, would gather perspectives on the theme of responsibility—a core aspect of the STR project. While the plan is still in its early stages, it promises to add depth to the project by involving key stakeholders in meaningful dialogue.

Ensuring a Representative Sample of TU Delft Students
An important discussion emerged around how to ensure a representative sample of TU Delft students for the focus groups and other STR activities. The student portal was suggested as a useful tool for reaching students, but concerns were raised about whether it would accurately represent the broader student population. Ensuring inclusivity and diversity in these efforts will be crucial as the project moves forward.

Conclusion: STR's Path Forward
The August 29th meeting marked an important moment for the "Students Taking Responsibility" project. From welcoming new team members to exploring innovative outreach methods and planning impactful events like the "100 Days of STR," the team is committed to expanding the project's reach and effectiveness. As these plans develop, the STR initiative is set to inspire more students and educators to engage with the essential topic of responsibility, fostering meaningful conversations and actions.