Summary
The professional task is central to Fontys ICT's education. All students work together in teams on professional tasks. Each semester, an authentic assignment (or a collection of authentic assignments) is central to this. Students acquire integrated knowledge and skills. The professional task is the environment in which the student develops into an ICT professional (professional development). A semester coach (lecturer) guides the process.
At Fontys ICT, the professional task occupies a prominent place in the educational environment. An authentic assignment, which preferably comes straight from professional practice - but can also be simulated at the start of the study programme - challenges the student to learn.
Students work together in teams to acquire the knowledge and skills that are central to that semester in an integrated way. In addition, the professional task is the ideal environment in which the student develops into an ICT professional (professional development).
The student builds up a portfolio of individual and group assignments. In group assignments, each group member keeps track of the whole assignment and also makes an effective and substantial contribution to the group assignment. Together you take care of the group result! Students make joint working arrangements for the realisation of the group work and also ensure that these arrangements are fulfilled. It is advisable to record the agreements made and to discuss them with the tutor and/or lecturer's supervisor so that you can always rely on them.
Consequence: A group member who has been expelled from the group may no longer include the elaboration(s) of the group assignment(s) in his/her portfolio.
A lecturer/semester coach follows the process of the teams and coaches students on the organisation of learning and work, and on team interaction and dynamics. The lecturers and the semester coach name as much as possible during guidance what behaviour they see to make students aware of their choices in approach, what other choices are possible and how their activities relate to methods and theory.
Accompanying education (workshops, pressure cookers, instruction/lessons, feedback moments) - planned or not in advance - provides answers to questions raised by the professional task and thus supports the student's learning process.
The execution of the professional task (both the what and the how) forms the basis of the integral assessment of the student. General principles concerning the assessment, including the professional task, are described in the Fontys ICT assessment policy. See also more policy pages on assessment.