Revolutionizing Education: A Journey into Agile Learning with Willy Wijnands
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In the dynamic landscape of education, innovation is key to fostering engagement and personal growth among students. Willy Wijnands, a seasoned chemistry teacher with over four decades of experience, shares his transformative journey with Agile Learning, particularly through the creation of eduScrum. In this interview, he sheds light on the impact of Agile methodologies in the classroom, the challenges and triumphs during the pandemic, and his vision for the future of education.
Willy introduces himself as a pioneer in Agile Learning, having discovered the potential of Scrum in education back in 2011. With the creation of eduScrum, a tailored version of the Scrum framework for schools, he embarked on a mission to revolutionize the way students collaborate, work in teams, and take ownership of their learning journey. His professional path unfolds as a tale of enlightenment and dynamic change within the classroom.
Can you briefly describe your work with Agile Learning? How has been your professional path and what are you currently working on?
I’m Willy Wijnands, a chemistry teacher with over 44 years of experience in the field. I was introduced to Scrum and Agile working in the summer of 2011. A friend of mine, who had recently undergone Scrum training with Jeff Sutherland, introduced me to the Scrum framework. I saw the potential to adapt it for education and thus created eduScrum. That was for me an enlightening moment, and I started to use Scrum in my classroom in August 2011. It was a direct, dynamical and energetic change, how students start to work in teams. So, I founded eduScrum, a modified version of the Scrum framework tailored for education. I’ve been training teachers and companies how to implement agile learning practices in schools across the Netherlands and all over the world, online and in person at location.
Willy shares a powerful testimonial from one of his students, highlighting the impact of eduScrum on personal development and collaborative success. The student emphasizes the importance of individual contributions to the team's overall success. The freedom and ownership granted to student teams and the positive influence on academic results resonate as key elements in the success story.
Please share one memorable story or experience from working with Agile Learning.
A story of one of my students’ experiences with eduScrum
Everyone has their own contribution to success!
I think that I have used eduScrum correctly during the lessons, that I have adhered to the associated requirements and rules of the method and that I have always been actively involved with the method. eduScrum has strongly influenced my way of working in Chemistry class, but in a positive way. I think I have certainly benefited from eduScrum. The method produces better results and every individual experience, personal development. This development can only benefit the individual. I was able to learn from eduScrum. You get to know yourself and make social contacts. If better results have been achieved, it means that the method works, i.e. that the class and the individual groups have applied eduScrum properly (now this will differ per group and individual). I have committed myself to eduScrum through the activities I have carried out and through the qualities I have learned from others and the qualities I have taught to others. I would consider the certificate a nice and good reward for the work I have done. It motivates me even more to delve further into the qualities that I want to develop and to continue working in the same way as eduScrum. Personally, what I appreciate the most is the freedom and ownership it gives to student teams. Witnessing students working together in an enjoyable and transparent manner, and seeing their personal growth, brings me and the students great joy.
As the pandemic forced a shift to online learning, Willy and his colleagues embraced digital tools like Zoom and Miro. Initially daunting, the experience turned into a positive exploration of new teaching methods. The unexpected outcome was a global expansion of connections, with eduScrum now reaching over 40 countries.
How did you and your colleagues deal with the lockdown during the pandemic? Did you use any digital tools for distance learning? If so, what challenges or benefits did you experience?
In March 2020, like everyone we must change to online teaching and training. I didn’t like it in the first place. But there was no choice. The positive side is that we discover new ways of teaching and training, with several good tools, like Zoom and Miro. Later more tools are discovered. The other positive part was that we connected to more people around the world. Before the pandemic we were in 15 countries. Nowadays we are in more than 40 countries.
Did you continue using any of those digital tools after the pandemic?
Yes, I use the Miro board in my classroom, when I teach in person. Also, when I give extra lessons outside the classroom, I use Zoom.
Willy continues to use Miro boards and Zoom even after returning to in-person teaching. The integration of these digital tools enhances collaboration and project execution in the classroom, providing a seamless transition from online to offline learning.
Can you share one memorable story or experience from working with digital tools and/or distance learning?
When we started with distance learning and training with digital tools, it was in the beginning overwhelming for us and the people we trained. But when we start doing and working with real-life projects in a digital environment, it becomes easy and comfortable and the participants realize their project in 5 times 20 minutes sprints. Afterwards they feel happy and comfortable.
Advocating for hybrid learning, Willy emphasizes its potential to address various challenges, including teacher shortages, traffic congestion, and environmental concerns. He shares how incorporating human contact through voluntary, in-person meetings fosters increased participation in online lessons.
Have you participated in hybrid teaching or hybrid learning activities where students and/or teachers interact in the same moment via an online tool but some people are online and some others physically in the campus? Can you imagine agile learning in a hybrid way, how would that look like?
I am in favor of hybrid learning and working. In this way of working, you can be more effective and efficient. What is of course important is human contact with each other, working in teams. I do it with my students as I offer them one or two times a week, where we meet. This is not mandatory, but voluntary. What happens in practice is that students are participating more and more in online lessons.
Hybrid working can solve a lot of problems, such as the shortage of teachers in education, traffic jams, climate problems and so on.
Willy envisions the future of education as agile and team-oriented, with a focus on student ownership and personal development. He believes that a hybrid approach can revolutionize education by providing flexibility, efficiency, and effective collaboration.
In Willy's perspective, Agile learning, coupled with digital tools, holds the key to solving numerous educational challenges. By providing freedom, ownership, and transparency, these methodologies contribute to continuous improvement and enhanced learning outcomes.
What do you think could be the potential of digital tools for distance and/or hybrid learning in the specific context of Agile Learning?
As I wrote before, Agile learning will solve a lot of problems. Agile learning, to me, is about giving freedom and ownership to student teams and allowing them to work transparently. It involves working in short cycles, focusing on learning outcomes, personal and team development, and continuously improving the learning process.
Willy concludes by expressing his belief in the agile future of education. A student-centric approach, combined with hybrid learning and collaborative working, stands at the forefront of his vision. For Willy Wijnands, the future is agile, empowering, and focused on the development of both individuals and teams.
In the ever-evolving world of education, Willy Wijnands' journey showcases the transformative potential of Agile Learning, proving that innovation and adaptability are essential for creating a brighter future for students worldwide.
In your personal perspective, how do you see the future of education and learning?
For me, the future of education and learning must be in an agile way of learning and working in teams. Give ownership to the students and ask the students also what they want to learn. Take care for the personal and team development in a hybrid teaching, learning and working.
