Visible Learning Trajectories Programme Affective learning track
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The university is increasingly central to society. University education should therefore not only focus on cognitive skills but also provide affective education, aimed at personal and professional development. This helps students develop the skills and attitudes to contribute to an inclusive and just society.
Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes that have participated in the Visible Learning Trajectories Programme and wish to enhance their students’ personal and professional development can now sign up for the Affective learning track of the Visible Learning Trajectories Programme. |
What does the Affective learning track entail?
In co-creation with the teacher team, our specialised trainer duo uses the Learning Trajectories methodology to find a balance between cognitive and affective learning at the curriculum level. This involves designing a learning trajectory with suitable teaching methods and assessment. We provide expert guidance in developing tailored learning activities and assessment methods that align seamlessly with the intended learning outcomes. The end result is a customised learning trajectory Affective learning.
Designing and implementing a learning trajectory Affective learning follows a structured four-phase approach, carried out over a period of two to three months:
- Start meeting with the programme director to determine requirements, participating courses and teachers, and start date
- Plenary kick-off meeting with the teaching team in which a blueprint is drawn up
- Teachers work together in small teams for two to three months to develop the blueprint and implementation at the course level, with guidance from the trainer duo
- Final plenary meeting for curriculum-level integration
Empowered Minds: affective learning at the UvA
The Affective learning track is part of the Empowered Minds project, led by Linda de Greef (Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies) and Ilja Boor (Teaching & Learning Centre Central), who have been awarded a Comenius Leadership Fellow Grant. This project aims to embed affective learning across the University of Amsterdam’s educational programmes. As a result, students are better equipped to comprehend complex societal challenges and develop more effective solutions.
Affective learning is the process through which a student develops or changes attitudes, values, emotions, and motivation as part of the learning process. It’s not just about what you learn, but also about how you relate to it. This type of learning plays a key role in education that aims for personal development and societal transitions – such as transdisciplinary learning, impact learning, challenge-based learning, ethical reflection, and social-emotional skills.
The Inner Development Goals framework acts as a foundation to support students in developing skills and attitudes such as complexity awareness, integrity, resilience and co-creation. This enables them to make a meaningful contribution to future society. By working on these skills and attitudes from the very beginning of their studies, students are equipped to foster their personal development over the course of their lives.
Watch this short video (2 mins) for an introduction to affective learning goals, explained through Bloom’s taxonomy.
More information
Do you have any questions, or are you interested in participating in the Visible Learning Trajectories Programme and/or the Affective learning track? Contact us
Read more about the Visible Learning Trajectories Programme