“The way we work in projects is more like companies than classes. From our vision of the future.”

I am now working on a project to get people more active and therefore healthier. We do that by looking at running. Many people start running, but quickly get injured and then stop again. We want to use technology to help them avoid those injuries.

We can’t clutter a runner with technology, so we decided to use audio. We convert movements into sound, and receive feedback on how the runner is running through their headphones.

With three teacher colleagues we already knew from outside Fontys. We revived this project and divided it into smaller parts. Small pieces were given to the students to provide their own interpretation. Media design takes up one part, and software another, etc.

Kind of external, yes. Fontys Sport is participating. We have an enormously committed movement expert, Franklin, who assists. And the sensors we use come from a number of companies.

The teachers who help us know that even better than me. But I notice that they mainly develop those skills that will help them in the future…Reaching out to experts and companies, getting things going, discovering, and analysing. That is very valuable.

They coach, share knowledge, and support the students. They work in scrums with them. They listen and give answers, but they will never predict.

All of us. The teachers are really very motivated and involved. We ourselves are in a kind of dual role of highly motivated researchers and supervisors. Most students agree with that enthusiasm. A few focus mainly on their grades. Perhaps the content interests them less.

You cannot force them. You can only inspire them. Enter into a dialogue, find out where your students’ motivation lies, and stimulate that. There’s actually no recipe for it. But as a student you don’t just fall into this field, so the basis is always good.

Yes, because we aim for independence. We work in projects more as companies than as classes. We work from our vision of the future of ICT and the future ICT specialist: NEW GEN ICT. They receive tools, knowledge, and coaching. In that respect, the projects really continue where the lessons stop.