Students that participate in Law in Action talent program work with real cases from the legal field. Lecturers guide the students in recognising so-called ‘key moments’. These are situations that a student can learn from, like a conflict situation within a group, or an interview at a law firm. Students then write a reflection report on the key moment. In order to receive an award, students must demonstrate during the reflection that they can think critically about their role. At the end of the programme, each student must have achieved 15 awards of their choice.
Awards is an integrated function in Brightspace. As a lecturer, you set up a matrix of skills to which you link Awards. This way students can see which awards they can achieve. If students have received an award, they can save it in their ePortfolio in Brightspace. This way they have an overview with which they can share their skills, for example with future employers.
Role of the lecturer
When it comes to obtaining awards, the role of the lecturers is mainly coaching. Tans: ‘We can't predict what a student will come up with. It’s possible that someone earns an award for working together three times, through three different key moments. It’s also not determined beforehand when students will achieve an award, but of course there aren’t fifteen key moments in the last month of the programme. We will therefore also occasionally indicate when a suitable moment for linking an award arises. We have also linked the first award to a first assignment. This way, students immediately receive the first award and they see that it really isn't that difficult.’
Simon has observed the following about the effect of awards: ‘Students are given the freedom and encouraged to take their own responsibility. This freedom is very difficult for many students in the beginning. That is why it is important to make it very clear in advance what you expect. To help students, for example, we have written examples in advance about what such a reflection could look like.’
Tips from Simon and Irene
‘It is important to realize that working with awards is really new for students. You really have to make it clear to students what is expected of them and give examples.’
In addition, it is important to leave the options open to students. ‘Don't determine all the awards yet. Make sure that students have room to choose which skills they want to work on.’
Getting Started?
Use the tutorials about Awards. Want to know more and/or need help with Awards? Contact the Teaching Information Point of your faculty.