BarCamp

A new platform to support and promote pedagogical innovation

Christophe Carlei, Philippe Haeberli, UNIGE

In its strategic plan the University of Geneva shows its willingness to support quality of teaching and to develop innovative forms of teaching. To date, visibility and dissemination of these innovations remain limited or focused on a few specific cases. It is clear that a considerable number of teachers from all faculties have a very creative approach to teaching, but these innovations remain little known, visible and shared. The lack of examples, proven practices and peer-to-peer exchanges hinder the deployment of innovations among a faculty that is very heterogeneous with respect to the perceived relevance of these new approaches to university teaching.

A platform for pedagogical innovations has been set up with the ambition of responding to these limitations: to provide visibility, a place to share and disseminate innovations within the institution as well as externally. It is also a way to recognise and value the commitment of our teachers in the development of their practices.

Today, the platform offers an opportunity to serve both as an observatory of practices (for internal use) and for external dissemination in terms of visibility, attractiveness of future teachers and accountability to the community.

Restart meeting of the SIG Digital Skills

Jacqueline Gasser-Beck, UNISG; Hervé Platteaux, UNIFR; Patrick Roth, UNIGE; Stefano Tardini, USI

The SIG Digital Skills focuses on improving digital skills of students, faculty and staff at Swiss Higher Education Institutions. It was launched just a few days before mid March 2020... And then it could not grow due to the COVID-19 lockdown.

We would like to take the opportunity of the eduhub days 2021:

• To make a real kickoff meeting of the SIG;
• To rethink the SIG within the perspective of the P8 Digital Skills projects;
• To start to collaborate and work with and for the eduhub community.

Please come if you are interested to be a member of the SIG and participate to an open discussion about cool ideas to be developed in the SIG.

We are happy to meet you soon,

The SIG Leaders
Jacqueline Gasser-Beck (UNISG), Hervé Platteaux (UNIFR), Patrick Roth (UNIGE) and Stefano Tardini (USI).

Research perspectives on OER

Ricarda T.D. Reimer, FHNW

The first Swiss survey on the subject of OER in higher education was completed last year (Report on the Open Educational Resources (OER) survey at Swiss Higher Education Institutions). In order to emphasise the growing importance of this field of education policy and also for practice, it is necessary for Switzerland to consider scientifically such activities. The BarCamp is intended to be the beginning of a realignment of research perspectives on OER so that this aspect is also included in education policy. Especially against the background of the increase in digital teaching and learning as well as the importance of informal/non-formal learning, this future-oriented topic must be not allowed to be left in the basket by university teachers responsible for education.