Testimonial
Mixed classroom: Boundary crossing between WUR students and professionals in a course on Managing Public Spaces
In the mixed classroom, professionals and regular MSc (MLP, MUE, MADE and MGI) students learn together about managing public space. The mixed classroom emerged from the need to professionalize current public space managers and to educate a new generation to deal with the wicked problems in this field.
While running the course, it turned out that students can learn a lot from professionals but also vice versa. Professionals had difficulties to step out of their routine approaches, whereas students made use of innovative approaches to tackle a challenge in managing public space
During the boundary crossing inspiration meeting in April 2022, Marlies Brinkhuijsen explained that three courses were developed that
together prepare MSc students for a thesis. The courses are interdisciplinary, they address land use planning, design and management, and are offered in a blended way, with online lectures and activities on campus. The design principles of the
courses are active learning, real-life cases, reflection, group work and lots
of structure. Boundary crossing assignments are included to enhance the
learning among professionals and regular students. While running the course, it
turned out that students can learn a lot from professionals but also vice
versa. Professional had difficulties to step out of their routine approaches, whereas
students made use of innovative approaches to tackle a challenge in managing
public space. Moreover, professionals needed time to adjust to the active
teaching methods as used. Teachers seem to perform optimally in
the mixed classroom when having working experience in both the university as
well as in working practice.
In autumn 2022, the educational design of the mixed classroom will be improved in a design project led by Sarah de Vries.