A battle in the learning arena
A battle in the learning arena
In a pompous press release, Torbjørn Røe Isaksen (2017) stated that he would like to see an increase in the quality of teaching in academia, by holding an arena competition. “(…) a broad national competition arena for education”. NMBU must have misunderstood something, because currently we have nine winners from the university, and it has not been a single arena battle here! The toughest ones end up with the title qualified lecturer.
Journalist: Bjørnar Djupevik Hagen
Illustrator: Oda Braar Wæge
Translator: Pauline Marie Søndenå
The arena
As disappointing as it is, the Minister of Education does not want the teachers to fight against each other in a deadly battle. The merit scheme intends to increase the status of education and is being awarded to applicants after a long and constructive process. Not all the favorite lecturers have won the title, and I asked Solve Sæbø, vice principal for education, why not?
“This is not an award ceremony,” Solve started, “popularity competitions among the students already exist, like the award for best teacher of the semester”. NMBU likes to recognize those who have an outstanding pedagogical competence. This is about having a conscious relationship with teaching and of course having a researching attitude, but it is also about more than just the person. The chosen ones should in addition show collegial attitude, create a good working environment and share experiences to become as good as possible. Therefore, good colleagues are also required.
So, what is a good lecturer? Isn’t that the charismatic professor everyone wants?
“Allow me to tell you about an incredibly exciting document, completely unique in a Norwegian context; NMBU’s learning philosophy”. That’s how I perceived Solve, until he told me a bit more. It’s all active learning, feedback along the way, interactions between professors and students, as well as between the students. “A good teacher motivates and make sure that the teaching process is as good as can be”, he says.
Is an accomplished lecturer a good lecturer?
The question comes after hearing about two paths a lecturer can follow. The dry, theoretical pedagogy not fit for a student’s ear, and the natural talented one who randomly entertains the student while talking about the subject. Solve is convinced that the merit combines the two. The merit system should encourage people to consciously pursue pedagogy and adapt to the results. One should follow the learning philosophy and exchange opinions with fellow colleagues. A boring pedagogue who reflects on how students perceive the lessons will become better, and a charismatic teacher whit a clear plan will be more consistent.
The gladiator
The one who won in the competition arena of the Minister of Education, who collegially outcompeted the heads of his colleagues with his pedagogical wisdom, he-whose-name-everyone-wants-to-mention-because-he-is-so-very-talented-and-entertaining, my personal favorite AND the person on top of the list of accomplished lecturers – Arne Auen Grimenes, had time for an interview.
“I can’t teach anything”, he says, “I can only motivate others to teach themselves”. Even though Arne has spent all of his 40 working years in teaching, he is clearly motivated by the real estate agent’s mantra “location, location, location”, or “motivate, motivate, motivate”, as he says.
Arne sends me his pedagogical folder, the application letter to a merited teacher, to not spend too much time talking about why he received the award. It documents 40 years from the time he started as an assistant teacher, to working in high school and in projects with NRK, until he came to NMBU where he joined and established both national and European councils for physics teaching. He has written textbooks for high school and university level in Norwegian, because of the importance of getting a solid vocabulary in your mother tongue before moving on to a higher level. He has also contributed to nine thousand students learning about energy and hearing about NMBU through a project he helped create. Not to mention the studies and courses he has established and developed at NMBU. We still have plenty to mention, but we have to move on.
The folder will have to wait, I guess FYS101 is the reason why you got merited?
Arne looks at me through the phone, with a slightly frustrated look on his face.
Okay, but I’ve heard that you’re pretty ruthless as a lecturer, with people coming injured out of the room.
“I’ve always tried a lot of different things in my teaching and I like to keep the students excited. What’s more exciting than not knowing if you´re being carried out on a stretcher or walking out on your feet?”
The incident referred to is when Arne shot a student with a bottle rocket the first day at work, so the blood splattered, but the lack of confusion creates suspicion that there have been several cases over the years. "It's not dangerous to make mistakes," he says. "It's about testing, finding out what works, but you should always do your best."
Arne has read every book of physics there is to read in the Western world, and he knows immensely well that this knowledge has to be supplemented with experiments and fun. The years in the arena taught him the Roman motto bread and circuses – the people get what they want; experiments every single lesson, and even an entire subject dedicated to experiments led by students. “Let them eat cake, I say now”. “Or bamsemums”, he corrects, because he always finds an excuse to reward.
The exercise machine
There are also eight other accomplished lecturers this year who have done outstanding work. In the past year, teaching has been a high priority for all lecturers who have had to change their plan completely and do their best to educate. We have many lecturers to be grateful for at NMBU.
The accomplished lecturers are:
Auen Grimenes, associate professor, REALTEK
Edvin Østergaard, professor, REALTEK
Solveig Strangstadstuen, senior lecturer, REALTEK
Charles Press, professor, VET
Geir Lieblein, professor, BIOVIT
Elin Kubberød, associate professor, HH
Elin Børrud, professor, LANDSAM
Morten Sørlie, professor, KBM
Peter Alestrøm, professor, VET