I like to be shocked into thinking. Film and literature do this for me - transporting new contexts and perspectives since I was a student.
Today, as researcher-lecturer (at The Hague University of Applied Sciences) and founder of FlickThink I try to shock my students into thinking, using film connected to their (future) contexts, so they become adept at decision-making and position-taking.
Thinking we do together, and it never stops.
I never thought I’d become a teacher – let alone an award-winning one – but swiftly found my passion substitute teaching while completing my Master’s degree in Art & Literature.
Ever since this discovery, I have made it my mission to continuously improve the quality and engagement of my curriculum, first while teaching English and business communication, and since 2017 in the field of critical thinking.
In my teaching, I draw from education research, my own foundations in business and literature, a broad interest in pop culture, and a tendency to go against the grain.
I like to think that art is of vital importance to the world of business, management & organization. The best is thing about good art is that it is never straightforward or conclusive. Art invites us to reconnect with the stuff that we have come to take for granted. And as such, it helps challenge business as usual.
And so, as a professor of Change Management at THUAS I spend most of my days trying to find out how we can use art to rethink and reshape business practices. That’s pretty much a full time job.
Seeing my students' curiosity come alive through innovative learning experiences and being part of a team that prioritizes and nurtures creativity and fresh approaches to teaching gives me a deep sense of purpose. So does the potential for the ideas and tools of the team to spread beyond our classrooms, adapting and thriving in different contexts.
How will other lecturers integrate these methods with their own beliefs, professional knowledge and lived experiences to cultivate vibrant and engaging spaces for critical thinking through the arts? I can’t wait to find out.
I grew up in a society that did not encourage critical thinking. However, in one of its inner contradictions, it placed great emphasis on education and knowledge. As an educator, I aim to help students build a connection between facts and critical thinking. I want them to explore different perspectives, feel empowered to challenge their own ideas, and justify their viewpoints.
For business students, who are future managers, start-up owners, or HR professionals, the ability to slow down and think deeply is a valuable skill in our fast-paced world. Studying a critical thinking course through films and documentaries is a novel approach for them. The Thinking in Action course is unique, unconventional, and has no set textbook. Above all, it is serious fun.