Erdinç, to start at the beginning: can you briefly tell us who you are, where you are from, and what you do in the work field?
My name is Erdinç Saçan and I am a practitor at ROC Tilburg. A practical teacher in vocational education is the same as a lecturer in higher education or a professor at the university. As a professor, I am responsible for the development, application and dissemination of knowledge, both internally and externally. Together with 10 other teachers, from various courses, I am part of the Interactive Technology head group. The teachers are given one day off per week to do research into new technologies that can be used in the classroom. We do this by means of all kinds of experiments. I have also been a teacher at Fontys University of Applied Sciences for about 12 years. I teach the subject ICT & Business and am involved in the minor Educational Technology.
You are therefore a leading expert in the field of educational technology and innovation. Where did this interest arise?
I've been working in education for a long time. Over the years I noticed: new tools and technologies are nice and all, but how can we use them in education in a way that keeps them interesting? When you show a robot or VR glasses in class for the first time, students are excited. But if you use the same technology every week, the excitement quickly diminishes. That is why the practical training programme is so good: we investigate what can be used in what way, so that it remains fun and educational for students and they can apply the knowledge they have acquired in the future. And that it really adds something to education.
What studies have you completed?
I followed the higher professional education (hbo) course in Business Informatics at Fontys in Eindhoven. After that I earned a master's degree in Information Management at Tilburg University. I also followed all kinds of courses, but these are too numerous to mention!
Was educational technology and innovation interesting because you turned out to be good at it? Or did you become good at it because you found it interesting?
The latter. When you start out, you have a certain expectation about your career as a teacher. This expectation may prove correct or incorrect in certain areas. You learn as you go by doing. This is my philosophy. Just do it and ask a lot of questions to others. This is how I learned everything, and this is what I always try to pass on to my students.
What is your role within MindLabs?
As a practor, I try to conduct research together with experts from other knowledge institutions and companies, and to enter into collaborations for various projects within MindLabs.
How long have you been a member of the family and what was the deciding factor; why did you join MindLabs?
ROC Tilburg is one of the co-founders of MindLabs. So we were already in contact when I became a practor in September 2020.
What is the ultimate goal for you?
With MindLabs and ROC Tilburg, to become the technology and teaching lab to which anyone who has questions about education and interactive technology can turn. In this way, we can not only act as advisors, but also learn from others.
A feasible plan?
Definitely. Being connected to MindLabs results in many collaborations. This commitment is important for us to be able to grow as an organization and continue to develop. For example, we are already working a lot with Fontys and Tilburg University to explore the possibilities of VR, AR and robots.
You bring a lot of knowledge and expertise with you. What does this collaboration bring you in the meantime?
The collaborations between different parties give me new energy personally and provide a broader network. I am looking forward to the new building, where the various knowledge institutions will come together under one roof. What awaits us there? In any case, we believe in sharing all acquired information. Only in this way can we learn from each other!
Do you put your expertise to use in other ways?
I like to keep a close eye on everything in the field of technological developments. Like blockchain, AI, VR, Metaverse and how all this is moving the world forward in the future. I write a lot about it, including in blogs. I am a real generalist and like to be involved in many different subjects. If I want to delve deeper into something, I talk about it with experts or experts by experience, so that I have the know-how to apply this in my work and in daily life.
And now? Coffee?
No, not yet! There are all kinds of appointments scheduled for today, so we'll keep going for a while!
Recently Erdinç wrote an interesting article about The Metaverse. You can read this article here.
Would you like to know more about Erdinç and what he is doing? Then click here.