Within the UvA, we stimulate knowledge sharing and expertise and community building with Special Interest Groups (SIGs). Through these groups, TLC Central builds an expertise network focused on shared themes and interests within education, in collaboration with the Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies (IIS).
A SIG is a group for educators with shared interests and expertise on a particular theme. Within a SIG, interested parties come together to exchange, develop and apply knowledge and experience. In doing so, a SIG focuses on expertise and networking around a specific theme. Themes educators care about and are relevant to the quality of academic education at the University of Amsterdam. In SIGs, we transcend faculty boundaries and let educators from all faculties meet each other.
Alle interested educators at the University of Amsterdam can participate in a SIG. Participation is entirely without obligation. As an educator, you can join as an expert. But also if you want to increase your expertise on a particular theme, you are welcome.
The SIG Impact Learning is a network with the aim of making impact learning more common practice at the UvA. Through this network, we also exchange knowledge between interested parties and experts by experience. We are doing this by forming a community and active network, and by organizing meetings. For example, about impact learning and assessment, commissioning or impact learning and policy. During the meetings, experts join the conversation and together we address concrete questions and experiences from practice. For example, an Impact Learning Day took place on 4 November 2022. This SIG also has issues an Impact Learning Education grant for UvA educators and employees who want to innovate by (better) integrating impact learning into teaching.
Would you like to join this SIG? Join via Microsoft Teams. Please contact Katusha Sol if you have any questions about this SIG.
This Special Interest Group originated from the UvA Sustainability grant. Main goal of the SIG Sustainability is knowledge sharing on sustainability in education. Think of experiences in designing education that incorporate core elements of sustainability education. But also certain literature, approaches, (assessment) methods, manuals, assignments, the application of the theme of green sustainability in blended learning environment, and so on.
In addition, this SIG aims to form a community and strengthen the network of UvA educators. Especially those educators who are motivated to design and promote sustainability in education. This SIG has also issued the Sustainability grant for UvA educators and employees who want to innovate with a focus on sustainability.
Would you like to join this SIG? Or do you have any questions about this SIG? Please contact Coyan Tromp.
Introducing innovations like ChatGPT has stirred a renewed dialogue, sometimes colliding between fearful rejection or uncritical endorsement. At the University of Amsterdam, across faculties, many educators are committed to transcending polarized discussions and experimenting with ethical and responsible use of GenAI technology. The Special Interest Group (SIG) is primarily a network, bringing together committed educators across faculties who are dedicated to developing a balanced framework, grounded in educational theory and pedagogy, for integrating GenAI into universities. In brief, SIG is committed to a nuanced examination of emerging GenAI technologies in the educational landscape, with an emphasis on their ethical and meaningful applications in teaching, assessment, and learning.
For more information and/or to apply for the SIG educational use of AI:
In addition, several SIGs are currently active or in development. These SIGs also offer grants to UvA educators and employees (now or in the future):
More practical information about the content of these SIG’s will follow later.
The SIG is a network of educators working or interested in integrating GenAI into education in an ethical way. If you are a lecturer, teacher, researcher, examiner, or policy advisor with an interest in the intersection of AI and university education, we invite you to join the SIG.
Knowledge sharing, expertise and community building are stimulated with Special Interest Groups (SIGs).