FKO and MKO

Summary
Information about the professionalisation process for Fontys ICT lecturers based on the Fontys Teaching Qualifications (FKO).

Within the framework of the professionalisation of lecturers, Fontys has the Fontys Teaching Qualifications (FKO). On the Talentontwikkelplein (Talent Development Square) of the P&O Service you will find all information about FKO. Within FKO, a distinction is made between:

1. BKO: This is compulsory for all new Fontys lecturers without didactic qualification and is a condition for permanent employment;
2. MKO: Within Fontys ICT, every lecturer must achieve the Mid-level Teaching Qualification (MKO) level on the subjects Didactics & Assessment, Technology Enhanced Learning and Research within three years of obtaining a BKO (and a permanent contract of employment). These have been processed within Fontys ICT in a MKO-Didactics and a MKO-Research;
3. SKO: Within Fontys ICT these are optional for all lecturers and mandatory for certain roles;
4. BKE and SKE: Since January 2017 Fontys also recognises the national qualifications BKE and SKE. As a result, BKE and SKE have in fact been separated from BKO and SKO respectively. For Fontys ICT, BKE and SKE as separate qualifications are optional.

The qualification MKO and SKO Student Coaching is new and is still in the pilot phase at Fontys.

There are Fontys-wide assessments for all FKOs. For MKO there is also a Fontys ICT variant. Since September 2018, the MKO within Fontys ICT consists of 2 parts:

1. Didactics (which includes Didactics & Assessment and Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL));
2. Research.

For lecturers who prefer to do MKO Didactics as two separate MKO's, this possibility remains.

Within Fontys ICT agreements have been made about the adjustment of the trajectories and completion for the Fontys Teaching Qualifications (FKO). Through these adjustments, MKO is better suited to the context and development culture of Fontys ICT.

The MKO requirements, as described in the various manuals, remain the objective. However, the focus is more on development and reflection than on the delivery of professional products.

Lecturers can choose between different ways to develop themselves in FKO by:

• reviewing the Canvas courses available within Fontys ICT by subject;
• attending a training course inside or outside Fontys;
• participating in workshops or trajectories within Fontys ICT;
• a customised programme or self-study;
• taking training elsewhere.

In connection with the development-oriented approach of the MKOs within Fontys ICT, the completion takes place in a final discussion ('Fontys ICT-assessment'), with a portfolio as input.

The emphasis in the portfolio is on development and reflection. The portfolio has a limited size, 5 to 10 A4 sheets ? 10 A4 sheets. Of course, the portfolio can be designed in a different medium. As a lecturer, you have a lot of freedom in the content of the portfolio: This can take the form of concrete professional products, teaching materials, films, etc. of concrete situations, or in the form of describing situations. The professional products as described in the Fontys manuals are therefore not compulsory.

The final interviews take the following form:

1. We're using “model graduation?: 1st assessor is the guiding coach or trainer. The 2nd 'assessor' is an independent expert or an external expert;
2. The role of 1st assessor is fulfilled by the trainer/coach; usually an educational specialist (= from Fontys ICT).
3. The role of 2nd assessor=expert or external expert is fulfilled by an independent external, e.g. from Fontys O&O Service Department;
4. The development-oriented criteria of Fontys ICT are used for reporting on the final interview;
5. Final interviews can be combined into a number of final interviews together, with the presence of colleagues and with discussion and learning from and with each other;
6. An MKO form (see paragraph 4) is signed by the supervisor-assessor and expert-assessor. They only sign in case of 'completed or fulfilled'. In case of 'not yet completed or fulfilled', no form will be filled in and signed, but only oral feedback (including tips) will be given.

Within Fontys ICT we work with our own form of MKO-completion: our own Fontys ICT final interview or 'assessment?. The final interview will last up to 30 minutes. The process is completed with a 'certificate'. This certificate is as valuable to Fontys ICT as a certificate of a Fontys assessment and fits in with our HR policy. Lecturers who prefer to opt for a 'classic' Fontys assessment can always do so and Fontys ICT will take care of the costs. These assessments are organised by FKO.

For each qualification, the following points of attention apply to portfolio and completion:

Final interview based on a portfolio that includes:

1. Profile description of the lecturer;
2. Development in the application of didactics, assessment and TEL in practice with students;
3. Development in the application of didactics, assessment and TEL as a developer of education;
4. Reflection on performance and development in the field of didactics; with a link to theory and literature.
   

Note: This concerns didactics, assessment and TEL.

Final interview based on a portfolio that includes:

1. Profile description of the lecturer;
2. Development as a professional supervisor for (graduate) students;
3. Development as a researcher;
4. Development as evaluator or assessor of research (design);
5. Reflection on performance and development; which contains a link to theory/literature.

Note: It's all about your own research skills and the guidance of research!

The results of the final interviews Fontys ICT (MKO), are recorded in a standard form. These are formatted in Adobe Acrobat Pro. The easiest way to fill in (and sign) is in Adobe Pro.

The final interviews are planned via the team of educational specialists, with the people manager (PM) as the point of contact. Employees who have completed an MKO assessment must in principle upload their own certificate in HR2day.

There are two forms available:
form Didactics;
form Research.

SKO becomes a requirement for certain roles within Fontys ICT. Think of a member of the Assessment Committee or the Research Group. SKO is replacing MKO. In other words: If you do a SKO, you don't have to do an MKO in that area.

BKO and SKO can be completed via Fontys. For MKO you can choose the Fontys ICT way, or a Fontys assessment.

• Lecturers who are hired, first focus on obtaining BKO. From the moment they obtain a BKO (= moment of permanent employment) they have a maximum of 3 years to obtain the three MKO's of which two (Didactics & Assessment and TEL) can be redeemed within the new Fontys ICT-MKO Didactics;
• Lecturers agree on planning with their PM;
• All lecturers who have been in permanent employment for more than 3 years must have obtained the 3 MKOs.

If you have any questions, please contact your PM or, if you have any questions about the projects and their completion, the educational specialist who is also Fontys ICT contact person for FKO.

For more information about Fontys Kwalificaties Onderwijs (FKO).