Hybrid tech teachers make our education more accurate, up-to-date, and engaging.
Cybersecurity, Internet of Things, DevOps: these are fields that are changing rapidly. To offer students education that aligns as closely as possible with practice, Summa ICT works with hybrid tech teachers. “If someone was working on a company project just yesterday, it gives the lesson a completely different dimension,” says Director Patricia van der Linden-Straatman.
Take DevOps, a process in which developers (Development) and administrators (Operations) work closely together to deliver better software. “That subject did come up in our lessons, but it didn't have a structural place,” says educational leader Johan Smulders. “Our current hybrid teacher emphasized its importance for the professional field. Together, we developed a course that he now teaches to MBO students. So, essentially, we are saying: look, this is relevant to companies, and that is why you are being taught about it.” Patricia adds: “We always ask our hybrid tech teachers: what skills does the student, who will soon become your colleague, need to have? What are you missing in our curriculum? Their input is incredibly valuable. It makes our education more accurate, up-to-date, and engaging.”
Different expectations
The latter is certainly evident in practice. “Students are really enthusiastic,” says Johan. “They look at the teacher in a different way. I notice that in the questions they ask and the stories they tell.” Hybrid tech teachers themselves also get a lot out of it, he observes. “Energy, fun, new skills,” he lists. “These teachers often come in very enthusiastic. They are eager to share their expertise.” That is also immediately a pitfall. “Expectations sometimes differ from reality.”
A buddy for everyone
So how do expectations differ from reality? “It seems simple: just stand in front of a group of students and teach. But there are many didactic choices behind a good lesson. How do you structure it? How do you actively involve students? What can and cannot be expected of them? We guide them in that.” What also helps is that hybrid tech teachers, before they join Summa ICT They start by shadowing for a day. After that, they are paired with a buddy, a colleague they can always turn to. “Hybrid teachers also only teach under supervision,” says Patricia. “So the idea that they are cheap labor or a solution to the teacher shortage is absolutely not true.”
Colleagues are asking endless questions.
It takes some getting used to for the hybrid teachers, but for Johan and Patricia, too, it was a matter of trial and error and making adjustments. “In the beginning, it took some searching,” says Johan. “But the longer someone is involved, the clearer it becomes what their business-based qualities are. Then you can deploy them much more effectively.” Because hybrid teachers are often only present for half a day a week, it can also be challenging to truly become part of the team. Yet, at Summa ICT, that happens naturally. “Our team is genuinely interested in what these people bring from the professional field. They sometimes really ask a lot of questions,” laughs Johan.
Call to employers
It takes some getting used to for the hybrid teachers, but for Johan and Patricia, too, it was a matter of trial and error and making adjustments. “In the beginning, it took some searching,” says Johan. “But the longer someone is involved, the clearer it becomes what their business-based qualities are. Then you can deploy them much more effectively.” Because hybrid teachers are often only present for half a day a week, it can also be challenging to truly become part of the team. Yet, at Summa ICT, that happens naturally. “Our team is genuinely interested in what these people bring from the professional field. They sometimes really ask a lot of questions,” laughs Johan.
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