SIG International Classroom
Higher education classrooms are increasingly diverse, presenting both challenges and benefits. The SIG International Classroom fosters inclusive and dynamic learning environments that celebrate cultural diversity, promote global perspectives, and prepare students to thrive in an interconnected world.
Objectives
- Promote inclusive teaching practices: We foster the adoption of pedagogical strategies that support diversity and inclusivity in diverse and international classrooms.
- Enhance collaboration: We facilitate dialogue and collaboration between educators and students to share best practices and address challenges in diverse learning environments.
- Provide practical support: We develop and disseminate practical tools and resources to aid educators in effectively managing diverse and international classrooms.
- Support continuous professional development: We offer ongoing opportunities for peer consultation and professional growth, focused on improving teaching in culturally diverse settings.
Who is this SIG for?
The SIG International Classroom is meant for those who are passionate about enhancing inclusion and diversity within higher education. Whether you are a teacher/educator, policy officer or researcher/practitioner, you are more than welcome!
What does the SIG look like?
Currently, the SIG International Classroom consists of 36 members from multiple faculties across the university – including FMG, FdG, FGw, FNWI and EB, as well as TLC Central, the International Office and the Student Affairs. Take a look at the core group members below.
How to apply?
When joining this SIG, you will become part of a collaborative academic network focused on enhancing teaching and learning in international classrooms. Get access to comprehensive resources, participate in lively discussions, and gain insights from peers. The peer consultation sessions offer a safe space to discuss challenges and develop solutions collectively, while seminars provide the chance to hear diverse perspectives and engage with innovative teaching strategies.
Activities
- Developing comprehensive guidance: On the TLC website, we maintain an online guidance package – which includes a glossary, practical recommendations, concrete tools, and best practices tailored to the challenges of international classrooms. This resource is continuously updated in order to provide valuable, evolving tools that enhance teaching strategies.
- Seminars & workshops: Engage in interactive seminars and workshops where academic staff and students from various faculties share their lived experiences. These sessions focus on discussing challenges, documenting recommendations, and identifying best practices to improve inclusivity and teaching effectiveness in international classrooms.
- Monthly peer consultation sessions: Once every month, we hold an online intervision group meeting – to share experiences, seek advice, and collaboratively address challenges. This initiative fosters professional growth and continuous improvement.
Core group
Dr. Hülya Altinyelken is an Associate Professor at the Department of Child Development and Education (FMG), specializing in curricular and pedagogical reforms, internationalization in higher education, and inclusion and diversity. Furthermore, she has been awarded the NWO Veni, Comenius Senior Fellow, and TLC Research Fellowship to conduct in-depth analyses on these themes.
A Special Interest Group (SIG) is a group for teachers with shared interests and expertise within a particular theme. In a SIG, participants come together to exchange, develop and apply knowledge and experience. Essentially, a SIG focuses on expertise and networking around a specific theme. Themes teachers care about and are relevant to the quality of academic education at the UvA. With the SIGs, we transcend faculty boundaries and enable teachers from all faculties to meet each other.