Open Doors for Dummies

In your current position as a teacher at the UU you deliver an active contribution to the educational environment of the UU. That is why we would like to direct your attention to the following.

Last year, an online tool was made available that enables you to search for colleagues with specific teaching expertise. The project is called Open Doors and the tool can be found on the TAUU website. The development of the tool was initiated by UU teachers Anna Gerbrandy and Christel Lutz with support of the Utrechts Stimuleringsfonds Onderwijs (USO).  After a test phase, we are now ready to kick off the project. But we can use your help….!

First and foremost, what is it that we try to achieve with this project? The Open Doors tool is designed to connect teachers from different UU faculties and to enable educational improvement and knowledge exchange by literally opening up the classroom. Say, you are curious how other colleagues tackle their teachings, or you have a question about a certain didactical topic or skill you would like to master. In the online environment of the Open Doors project you can create a profile and look for colleagues who might have the answer to your didactical question/need.

Curious how you can join? All you have to do is log in with your solis ID via this link. This action automatically creates your account and will lead you directly to the page where you can create your own Open Doors profile. Here you will need to answer a few questions about your own educational expertise and teaching experience and add a photo in order to finalize your profile. Please note that your answer to question number 9 of the questionnaire functions as a calling card.

When your profile is up and running you can start your search for suitable matches in de Open Doors database. If you have found a colleague of whom you think can answer your question, you can send him or her an email-request for an appointment. During this appointment you will discuss what it is you want to know and how, where and when the visit will take place (for guidelines on how to tackle these points, please see the Open Doors protocol). From then on, it is smooth sailing. You set a date, you visit, you observe, you learn (preferably from each other) and afterwards you evaluate the visit. Piece of cake really.

By participating in this project you will help us to create a unique database of didactical supply and demand. So hereby, we kindly invite you to create a profile!

If you have any questions or feedback about the tool or if you have difficulties creating a profile, please contact the TAUU Team at tauu@uu.nl.

We are looking forward to seeing you in the Open Doors database!

Heleen Klomp