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Students' perspectives on the 'Twents Onderwijs Model'

Wilms, S. (2015) Students' perspectives on the 'Twents Onderwijs Model'.

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Abstract:Background The ‘Twents Onderwijs Model’ (TOM) is the new educational system of the University of Twente and divides the minds concerning its suitability. It builds upon problem-based and project oriented learning which comes back especially in the central aspect of project work. The TOM has been evaluated and monitored by the university throughout its first academic year of 2013/2014. These evaluation studies used quantitative and qualitative research methods to investigate the staff’s views on the educational systems and quantitative methods in the form of questionnaires to examine the students’ views. This study contributes to the evaluation of the TOM by using qualitative research methods to explore the students’ perspectives on the ‘Twents Onderwijs Model’. Objective The present study was designed firstly, to explore how the students learn and develop and secondly, to indicate areas for general improvement. Methods & results The study is based on a qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews with 15 TOM-students. Major findings indicate the experience of a high workload, the presence of stress and occasional adverse effects on personal wellbeing, a prevailing result-directed character of learning, a lack of support of personal development, a successful support of academic development, and an appreciation towards providing structure primarily in the form of partial tests. Furthermore it comes to the fore that the experience of stress is related to the experienced workload and certain regulations. Conclusion The preceding findings indicate great room for improvement and especially point out a need for improvement regarding the experience of stress and the character of learning. It is discussed that intrinsic motivation plays a major role in the context of problem-based learning and could accordingly be an adequate way to advance the character of learning.
Item Type:Essay (Bachelor)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:77 psychology
Programme:Psychology BSc (56604)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/66891
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