Educational qualification – to make the teaching role visible

Loïs Vanhée and Lisa Hed are two of the Faculty of Science and Technology's newly appointed recognised and distinguished teachers. An important way to make teaching skills visible, they both think.

ImageMattias Pettersson

”I think it's important that a teacher's teaching skills are highlighted as well as their scientific skills. I am interested in education and have chosen to spend a lot of time on my teaching, on educational conferences and also on educational research, so it feels important that this is made visible" says Lisa Hed.

”Umeå University provides good opportunities for developing as a teacher, through training and funds for developing innovative courses and pedagogy research” says Loïs Vanhée.

It's important that a teacher's teaching skills are highlighted as well as their scientific skills

Different subjects bring different challenges

Loïs Vanhée's teaching is clearly linked to his research on the interplay between responsible artificial intelligence and cognitive modelling, and involves a great deal of interdisciplinarity. He has taught throughout his academic career in France, the Netherlands and Sweden. Since he came to Umeå University, he has been teaching about 50 percent of his working time.

Loïs Vanhée's teaching is clearly linked to his research on the interplay between responsible artificial intelligence and cognitive modelling.

ImageMattias Pettersson

In interdisciplinary learning, the challenge revolves around making the learner feel legitimate about his/her insights but become very creative as soon as they believe in themselves

What are the biggest challenges when teaching your subjects?

“Computer science topic and learners usually click well with “programming puzzles” but it can be hard for them to develop a general understanding of the topic, while in cognitive science it is often the other way around: they like much more learning about facts and theories but are less keen to act. In interdisciplinary learning, the challenge revolves around making the learner feel legitimate about his/her insights but become very creative as soon as they believe in themselves” he says.

Lisa Hed, associate professor in the Department of Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics, has been teaching since 2002, when as a mathematics student she got a job as an amanuensis and helped in teaching. Then it has just continued, through the PhD years and after her PhD in 2012, when she was hired as an associate professor.

"One of the challenges of teaching mathematics is that students' prior knowledge varies greatly," says Lisa Hed.

ImageMattias Pettersson

What's the best thing about being a teacher?

”It's great to be able to teach such motivated and talented students as we have. As a teacher at Umeå University, you have the opportunity for varied tasks and a lot of teaching freedom. I also experience a good climate among colleagues and that together we try to give the students the best education we can" she says.

"Understanding the principles of pedagogy"

What are the biggest challenges when teaching your subjects?

”Mathematics is a subject where the course material often builds on previous knowledge. This can make it difficult for students with a lack of prior knowledge. I find that the prior knowledge in a student group often varies a lot and it becomes a challenge to get all students on board while challenging the stronger students. Maths is also a subject associated with being smart/intelligent and there is an image that you either know maths or you don't. I think this image needs to be countered so that students don't lose motivation when it's difficult. Then they understand that they are in control of their knowledge and that it is very much about putting in the work, time and asking questions” says Lisa Hed.

Lisa Hed and Loïs Vanhée have both taught extensively throughout their academic careers.

ImageMattias Pettersson

There are a range of skills and perspectives that can support professional development as a teacher," says Loïs Vanhée.

“My main recommendation is to focus on understanding first the principles of pedagogy (what is learning, what are the key variables that foster learning, what are the means of action) rather than trying to repeat pre-made recipes – a lot of them are made for a different contexts and goals.”

“As practical tools, I believe “Teaching for quality learning at the university” is a must-read for one seeking to develop as a teacher. UPL trainings offer a good coverage of the basics. Performing a thorough course assessment, or even better, writing a paper on your pedagogical activities is definitely a great way to develop in depth. For the rest, it is a lot of applying these principles in practice and maturing upon our role as a teacher on society” says Loïs Vanhée.

Why did you want to get a qualification through Umeå University's teacher qualification system?

“Mostly for the exercise” he says. “A short version of one’s pedagogical grounds is required for the UPL on teaching in higher education and for docent applications. I found the exercise interesting and saw some good opportunity to revisit my approach as a teacher and receive feedback from a like-minded peer reviewer. Give it a try, I found it to be a very rewarding development exercise!”