Writing your senior teaching application (SKO): tips and tricks

Abstract

At Utrecht University (UU), academics applying for a senior qualification in teaching (SKO) have very different experiences and CV’s. Academics make their own choices in their personal development and specialise in different aspects of Teaching and Learning. Some choose tasks (or are asked to perform tasks) in the area of organisation and management, while others show a special interest in developing their teaching and take colleagues along in educational innovation. If these tasks are performed at “senior” level, all these academics are eligible to apply for an SKO. Their different and unique experiences will result in a very personal portfolio. It is, amongst others, for this reason that (for most departments and Faculties) no examples of, or structured guidelines for, SKO portfolios are provided. This document is aimed at academics working towards their SKO application. It provides ideas and tips to clarify what is expected for an SKO and to ease the process of writing a portfolio. As a basis, we use the criteria in the UU framework for teaching qualifications (https://intranet.uu.nl/en/basic-teaching-qualification-senior-teaching-qualification – new version of the criteria to be expected in 2021), and our experience since 2014 as consultants, mentors and assessors for colleagues working on their SKO portfolio.