How Rodenborch College encourages talent with Simulise

Talent may be there and you may show that it is there. A progressive vision, that of Rodenborch College. At this VO school in Rosmalen, discovering and developing talent is key. “It’s about the development of the students. Making these visible is something we find very important. Both the social, personal and cognitive growth. And Simulise is a very nice tool for that,” says vice principal Dirk van de Weijer. He explains how the digital portfolio provides insight into student development.

Space for feedback, reflection and understanding of progress

Just under two years ago, the search for a “comprehensive program” began. A tool where teachers can share assignments and materials. A place where students can present their work in a portfolio. Where there is room for feedback, reflection and understanding of progress.

‘We preferred to have everything under one roof’

“And we preferred to have everything under one roof,” Dirk says. Of course, other providers were looked at. “But visible development, all the functionalities and ease of use were the deciding factors. Simulise came closest to our needs.”

And that everything can be done under one roof? That created enthusiasm among teachers. “Not everyone is eager for a new program. Fortunately, our teams quickly recognized the added value of Simulise,” says Dirk.

A manageable implementation

According to him, implementing something new should be manageable. “We gauge the needs of the employees. That way we can take the right, small steps to shape everything. We see it as a growth model.” With Simulise’s support, this goes smoothly. “Their experts watch teachers and schedule (online) work sessions to help.” For example, when teachers want to add new assignments and rubrics.

Mentors largely handle the implementation of Simulise “in the classroom. Dirk explains, “Career Orientation and Guidance (LOB) is really about competencies and skills. For example, students consciously work on ‘working together’ and ‘critical thinking’ is covered in the World Citizenship component. Students also give and receive feedback.”

‘Students don’t make the assignments just to check them off’

Making development as a person visible

Simulise additionally enables students to reflect on themselves. With rubrics, for example. “That really makes their development as a person fit. Students don’t make the assignments just to check them off. The curriculum really helps them grow. Understanding their development is important not only for teachers, but especially for students,” says Dirk.

‘Students can now really showcase their work’

In addition to LOB, the Rodenborch also works with the digital portfolio in Bilingual Education, Physical Education (LO)and the Technasium. And the possibilities at this school are endless, Dirk believes. “In visual arts, students can now really show their work in the portfolio. To their parents, but also in the future at a further education.”

‘There is more than just the report’

Moreover, Simulise is constantly being expanded. “We work with a lot of domain projects. There students work cross-curricular, project-based and competency-based. Ideal to make their progress visible in Simulise. It is not a guideline for a parent meeting, but they can now show the portfolio. Besides the grades. There is more than just the report card.”