Wexsus launches teacher network to strengthen collaboration in education
Wexsus is starting a new network for teachers and education coordinators at Chalmers University of Technology, University of Gothenburg and University West with a focus on collaborative methods that can be integrated into education for sustainable development. The network will function as a meeting place for the exchange of experience, skills development and new collaborations between educational institutions and external actors.
Wexsus receives many requests from teachers who want to use collaboration as an integrated pedagogical component in their education, but who lack the time, support or structures to develop this on their own. To meet this need, Wexsus is now launching the teacher network, a platform where teachers from different programs and disciplines can meet, learn from each other and develop common working methods for collaboration in education.
Why a teacher network?
The purpose of the network is to:
- Bring together teachers and education coordinators from different programs and fields for knowledge exchange on collaboration methods/models
- Increase knowledge and competence among teachers regarding collaboration
- Create a platform for teachers/education coordinators where they can make contacts with external actors they want to collaborate with
"We know that many teachers want to work more with collaboration in their education but find it difficult to find the right support and contacts. By gathering resources, experiences and contacts in a network, we can help make collaboration a natural part of teaching for sustainable development", says Karin Bylund, collaboration coordinator for education and initiator of the network.
The first network meeting
The first meeting of the network will take place on 31 March and will offer conversations and presentations from several exciting perspectives.
Speakers and themes are:
- Karin Bylund (Wexsus)
Introduction to the network and reflections on how collaboration can be used in education - Helena Kraff, program manager for the master's program in Embedded Design at HDK-Valand at the University of Gothenburg
Embedded Design is an artistic master's program that allows students to explore the role of design in complex organizational contexts with a focus on sustainability, innovation and collaborations with external actors. The program combines theory and practice through projects in real contexts and develops the ability to work as an agent of change in society and organizations. - Ulrika Lundh Snis, project manager for the complete academic environment work-integrated learning at Högskolan Väst
Work-integrated learning (AIL) is a pedagogical strategy where students integrate theoretical knowledge with authentic work-related experiences and collaborations with external actors, which strengthens learning and develops the connection between academia and society. Ulrika will talk about the VIP4WIL project where the model for so-called Vertical Integrated Projects (VIPs) was tested within the framework of AIL.
The meeting will also include reflections, exchange of experiences and opportunities to discuss concrete ideas for collaboration in the respective education.
We welcome all teachers and education coordinators at Chalmers, Gothenburg University and Högskolan Väst to participate in the first network meeting and help shape the network's continued development.
The ambition is to arrange four meetings per year, with varying content and format. Through the network, Wexsus wants to create a long-term structure that strengthens external collaboration in education and contributes to accelerating the transition to sustainable development.
