About Programme VTB

Science and technology: A natural combination?

Technical education goes a lot further than building an electrical circuit or making a cardboard mock-up; children learn to design, explore and discover. They try things out, ask questions, evaluate and get lots of hands-on practice. Thus, learning technical skills is a perfect complement to the natural curiosity, creativity and problem-solving capability of children, especially when science is added to the mix. That is why science and technology need to be promoted together in primary education. The skills and talents that children discover and develop in this process will prepare them for their future role in our knowledge-based economy.


Science and Technology: A winning combination!

You are never too young to learn. Our society is crying out for trained scientists and technicians, so it is important to give children early exposure to the many different aspects of this fascinating field. Moreover, science and technology are ideally suited for involving children and teachers more actively in the educational process. The VTB Programme (Broadening Technical Education in Primary Education) is therefore designed to help primary schools integrate science and technology into their teaching. During a three-year period, schools receive financial, organisational and subject-specific support to put this into practice in their own way. In addition, VTB-Pro provides teachers with training and guidance on how to integrate science and technology into their lessons. The aim of the VTB Programme is to bring children into contact with science and technology, so that they can discover their scientific and technical talents and develop a positive attitude towards science and technology.


The added value of VTB

• By 2010, 2,500 primary schools (one third of the total number) will have embedded science and technology in their education with support from the VTB programme and regional support desks.
• The knowledge, expertise and experience developed and acquired by VTB schools will be made available to all primary schools in the Netherlands.
• Science and technology complement other subjects such as literacy and numeracy. They also offer lots of opportunities to work together with secondary schools, involve parents more actively in education and forge closer ties with businesses.
• Via VTB-Pro 10,000 (trainee) teachers are given the chance to explore and master the field of science and technology.


Several VTB-Projects

Language & Technology
It is perhaps not what you think of first, but technology can also play an important role in language education. Which is only for the better, because the primary school programmes are usually chock-full. One of the reasons why teachers are frequently overloaded with work is the language deficiency of some children. Science & technology activities during a language lesson result in content rich learning. For example by practising questions in a lesson concerning floating and sinking. This motivates children; even children with a learning difficulty. This way science & technology can enrich language development.

Inquisitive Learning
Children are by nature curious and inquiring. It is therefore only logical that education connects to this nature.
The project Learning to Inquire and Design has as aim stimulating the scientific attitude of children. To this end AMSTEL institute from the University of Amsterdam, together with schools, has developed a series of lessons. The main point is that experimenting and formulating questions are important learning processes that stimulate the creativity, curiosity and logical reasoning of children.

Talent Power
A cooperation has a dual purpose, benefiting all participants. VTB research programme Talent Power is an example of this. Scientists from several disciplines (for example neurosciences, logic, linguistics, psychology and mathematics) research which talents three to five year old children possess in the science and technology field. The first research results show that they certainly possess talents in that field! Check out http://www.talentenkracht.nl/

Mathematics and Technology
On the website RekenWeb you will find ‘Techplek’. At Techplek examples are given on technology in mathematics. Supported by VTB, Freudenthal Institute, NVORWO and AMSTEL Institute work on instruction materials that significantly incorporate technology. Thus students and teachers get familiar with technical contexts together with mathematics. For example a simulation with cogwheels and a task to measure shadows incite students to keep on examining these fields. Curious? Take a look at the website http://www.fi.uu.nl/rekenweb/techplek

Beta ambassadors
To give a structural place to technology in education, VTB involves the Teacher Training Colleges, the schools, universities and numerous other organisations in its approach. Teacher Training students can of course not lag behind. To prepare students thoroughly for their future work, VTB also develops activities for them. The students are closely involved, because who knows more about student needs then the students themselves! Hence VTB asks students to become beta ambassadors. Take a look at the website http://www.beta-ambassadeurs.nl/.
Of course there is much more to tell about VTB than just these two pages. To find out more about the programme take a look at the rest of this website. The website gives more information about VTB as well as loads of teaching material, relevant news, and a large number of interesting links. For even more information you can contact us by phone or email.

10 TIPS to immediately start with technique

  1. 1.Discuss in which elements within the school policy technology could contribute.
  2. 2.Take small steps. Better to execute small projects successfully then to lose yourself and your ambitions in unsuccessful large projects.
  3. 3.Appoint one person or a few people within the school team to enthuse everyone.
  4. 4.Set up meetings with Teacher Training Colleges, The Education Support Service or other organisations for training or coaching possibilities.
  5. 5.Find partners: at other primary schools, secondary education, Teacher Training Colleges, The Education Support Service and businesses. businesses are often easy accessible through colleagues and parents.
  6. 6.Start in the classes that are most likely to succeed. Evaluate the progress and refine the plans when needed.
  7. 7.Look around you: science and technology is everywhere and offers many opportunities for appealing education and authentic contexts.
  8. 8.Don’t try to design or develop everything yourself. Lots of high quality teaching material already exists. (check our website  www.programmavtb.nl for an overview)
  9. 9.Inform parents and get them involved in the lessons. Let them be a part of the enthusiasm and pride their children enjoy.
  10. 10.Incorporate science and technology in the school policy and make it a regular point of discussion in team meetings.