‘I see myself as a guide to my students’
‘I have basically rolled on from student to lecturer!’ Kasper Kamperman took the study that he now lectures in. Soon after graduation he was asked to come and lecture. He already had a broad outlook when he was studying – they could put that to good use. Both his parents worked in education, ‘So it was already in my blood’. Besides Saxion, he also works as a freelancer in creative technology.
I don’t portray myself to students as an expert who knows it all.
Modern guide
“I’m a part-time lecturer at Saxion and at the same time run my own projects. I enjoy getting my hands dirty as well as teaching. I take my practical experience with me into education. And I also learn a lot from my students! Especially in their fourth year, when they graduate. That’s when for example, they do research into interaction design or they compare the newest technologies invirtual and augmented reality. I don’t portray myself to students as an expert who knows it all. Of course, I know a lot about my discipline, but developments are so rapid. Students can obtain knowledge from so many different channels, for example, YouTube tutorials or industrial platforms like 80 Level. I see myself more as being a guide. I guide and supervise my students through all the information and developments. In my opinion, that’s more fitting with this day and age.”
The strength of our study programme is that students feel at home in a group, in forming a community.
Developing education
Kasper works at the applied university three days a week. Besides being a lecturer, he is also a curriculum developer. “I enjoy developing education. I was previously involved in setting up several study programmes and with changes to the curriculum. At the moment we are working on a new curriculum. The strength of our study programme is that students feel at home in a group, in forming a community. We are going to strengthen this even more. Alongside this students will have more freedom to choose and take subjects that fit better with their own career plans. I’m also in charge of the minor Creative Design & Technology, especially for students who come from outside our study programme.
Applied master’s degree
After Kasper had been lecturing for sometime, it became compulsory for lecturers to have completed a master’s degree. He chose to do an applied master's degree: “In my discipline, art and technology, it is quite hard to find a university master’s programme. At Breda University of Applied Sciences I obtained a master’s in Media Innovation. It is important to me to continue developing, which is why I also work on my own projects alongside working at Saxion.”
I really enjoy the personal contact with students. I want to learn their names as quickly as I can – that’s how it starts.
Working with people
The main reason Kasper chose to work in applied university education was to work with people. “I really enjoy the personal contact with students. I want to learn their names as quickly as I can – that’s how it starts. It can also be hard work at times, for example it can be difficult getting a group of students up and running. You have to be able to deal with that. Students are busy with lots of things other than your subject! Additionally, he is pleased that all the basics are taken care of. “Financially, but also the secondary employee benefits, it gives me peace of mind. You also get freedom within the timetable. You can plan your own work to a large extent. And if at some point your private situation requires extra time, then everyone understands that.”