edUMinded magazine: Ideas and insights

Educational practice does not only generate new approaches, but also new questions. This collection brings together reflections, research insights and personal perspectives on teaching, learning and academic development.

This collection is part of edUMinded, Maastricht University's online magazine on teaching and learning.

When university discussions work – and when they don't

Discussion lies at the heart of Problem-Based Learning, but not every discussion unfolds in the same way. In this article, Johannes Kugel, a third-year Bachelor's student in International Business at Maastricht University, reflects on two tutorial discussions with very different outcomes.
Tutorial

If a machine can write a flawless essay, what’s left for the writer?

UCM graduate Robin van Wasen traces how writing has shaped her learning, identity, and voice, and asks whether AI, despite its fluency, can ever replace the intent, authenticity, and connection that define human writing.
Robin van Wasen

More than another ‘to-do’: how the UTQ helped me rethink my teaching

For Elian Sieben, a teacher-lecturer at University College Maastricht, the UTQ trajectory turned out to be far more meaningful than expected. In this article, Elian reflects on his experience and how it made him grow as a teacher.
Elian Sieben speech during UTQ ceremony

How I rely on my university-taught writing skills, now that I use ChatGPT as my daily assistant at work: perspective of a recent graduate

How does a recent graduate transition from using AI tools with caution at university to embracing them at work? In this article, Helen Frielingsdorf shares her experience of adapting to AI, particularly ChatGPT, in her professional life.
Helen Frielingsdorf

How making videos changed my dismissive view of PBL

Making educational videos enabled math teacher Stefan Maubach to turn education theories from abstract concepts into practical tools.
Stefan Maubach recording a video

Feeling lonely in PBL: a personal reflection

As a student, constant changes in Problem-Based Learning (PBL) groups at Maastricht University left Carolina Cicati feeling lonely sometimes. This experience, in contrast to her later supportive role as a student-tutor, highlights the challenge of building trust within short-term learning settings.
Carolina Cicati

A Community of Practice in search of an identity

In the spring of 2022, EDLAB selected a group of teaching professionals, study advisors and students to form a Community of Practice around the topic of blended learning. How did the participants embark on this new experiment? "We soon found ourselves in an identity crisis," explain the two CoP leaders...
Community