Rody is a hybrid teacher: ‘I want to give pupils a taste of the business world.’
If it were up to Rody Koops and Joey Kuipers, hybrid teaching would become the new standard. Together, they teach “technas” (technology, physics, chemistry) every Wednesday at Stedelijk College Eindhoven, Henegouwenlaan location. On all other working days, Rody swaps the classroom for the ASML office. “By connecting business and education, students gain access to a broader world.
What motivated you to teach alongside your work at ASML?
Rody: ‘At ASML, you can combine your job with a role as a hybrid teacher. Some colleagues teach at primary schools and others at vocational colleges, universities of applied sciences or universities. I deliberately chose secondary education. These pupils have not yet opted for technology, but I can get them excited about it. Technicians are desperately needed and it's a wonderful profession. Many pupils don't realise how much technology is part of their lives. Their phones are glued to their hands, but what happens behind that screen? By teaching, I hope to broaden their horizons.'
Joey, were you immediately enthusiastic about the idea of becoming a hybrid teacher?
Joey: 'I immediately threw my doors wide open. As a technical teacher, I think it's very important to build a bridge between education and business. That's something I missed as a student. In fact, it was one of the main reasons I became a teacher. At Stedelijk College Eindhoven, we make that connection with the business world in various ways, but I'm very enthusiastic about this hybrid teaching approach. Thanks to Rody, technology becomes much broader than what is in the textbook. He doesn't just give a one-off guest lecture, but brings two worlds together on a structural basis, namely every week. This way, students trust him and we can develop lessons together. In the meantime, I am brushing up on my knowledge and have my hands free to help students even better. It's a win-win situation.'
How do you bring those two worlds together in one lesson?
Rody: ‘Recently, we talked about units, such as kilometres and millimetres. Students are familiar with those. But they are not familiar with micrometres or nanometres, which is the world ASML operates in. To make it less abstract, I look for examples. For example, if you put letters on a chip using the smallest size we have, how many books could you print on such a chip? It shows that there is more than just everything between a millimetre and a kilometre. I also want to bring the way of working from the business world into the classroom. At ASML, there is a culture of working together to improve the quality of a product. That means you have to expose yourself: “This is my design, go ahead and criticise it”. I want to introduce students to this in a safe way. I think that's also part of getting a taste of the business world.
Do you go home feeling different after a working day at ASML than after a working day at Stedelijk College?
Rody: 'Very different! At ASML, you might still be thinking about the content after a working day. After a day in front of the class, I'm much more concerned with the process. How did the lesson go? What did the students think of it? Were they at ease and did they dare to ask questions? A day like that makes an impression. You're “on” with a capital O. At the same time, it's also very rewarding. Especially when you explain something and see that it clicks. I find the connection with students special. If you give trust, you get it back.
Joey: 'Rody knows how to make that connection naturally. I would let him stand in front of the class on his own.
Why aren't there more hybrid teachers, do you think?
Rody: 'I know that many colleagues are enthusiastic. But your work and your life have to allow you to stand in front of the class. Some have young families or are involved in a project that makes it difficult to do something else one day a week. Then it's not a good fit. However, hybrid teaching does mean broadening your skills. This investment yields valuable mentoring and coaching skills, for example. You'll benefit from that for the rest of your career.'
Joey: 'It's a missed opportunity for companies if they don't offer hybrid teaching. Guest lectures are great, but hybrid teaching allows you to build something together. As a teacher, you have to dare to stand alongside someone who has a wealth of professional knowledge and understands the latest developments. You have to be able to let go. I agreed with Rody that we would go for trial and error. Just try it and then refine it. Hybrid teaching requires courage, but it yields even more.“
'In front of the class, you are 'on” with a capital O.'