## Added value for the VU Amsterdam

Education = activating, , inclusive, multidisciplinary, socially responsible;
The student = principal responsible2

OBT&L not only adds value to individual faculty members and the university library, but also aligns with the broader educational vision that VU has articulated. This educational vision consists of three core values: personal, open and responsible. How does OBT&L fit within these three core values?

1. Personal

Students at VU are given the opportunity to reach their full potential. VU's goal is for all students to be seen, heard and recognized. Consequently, VU cherishes the idea that there is talent in all students. This talent must be brought to the surface through education. Critical thinking plays an important role in this. Students are motivated to think independently and remain constantly critical. A positive learning culture, in which (academic) dialogue and interaction are central, ensures that each student can successfully complete his/her studies for himself/herself.

In addition, OBT&L encourages critical thinking in students. Students are encouraged to think critically about, for example, developing a good research question for a particular object or solving a particular "problem. In doing so, students often engage in dialogue with each other (and with the instructor) about the object. Thus, OBT&L encourages interaction.

OBT&L also encourages dialogue. Students use objects to discuss social issues and differences with each other. In this social learning, each student can make his or her voice heard and highlight a new angle. In addition, OBT&L encourages critical thinking, for example, by developing a good research question for an object or looking at an object without assumptions.

2. Open

In addition, the VU is an inspiring meeting place. In this we strive with mutual respect to connect different disciplines, cultures, religions, social views and questions that come from society. It is important to design education in such a way that students learn to view issues from different perspectives. In doing so, students become aware that many complex issues cannot be solved one-dimensionally.

Because of the social learning encouraged at OBT&L, different students, insights, social views and questions are brought together in the conversation about the object. Conversely, objects can serve as catalysts for initiating dialogue about diversity. An example is the use of objects from collections with a colonial past. By studying such objects closely and having students explore the object with each other, they will find out together what role the objects played in their, in this case colonial, context. Conversations about the value of these objects and what value they still have in society today will thus be initiated.

2. Responsible

Finally, at VU we value that students take responsibility and do not come to university just to "consume the product of education" (Educational Vision VU, 2022). In this way, students develop into engaged, critical and reflexive academic professionals who can navigate a complex, globalizing, diverse and constantly changing world. VU strives to offer education with interactive forms of work, where dilemma-driven education and self-directed education may be options that can be implemented.

Within this endeavor, Active Blended Learning is already a big part of the educational agenda. OBT&L aligns flawlessly with this. It is an activating form of work in which students do not merely passively consume education and information, but in which they themselves gather information and acquire skills together. As mentioned earlier, this active attitude fostered by OBT&L ensures that meaningful knowledge and experiences are acquired that stay with students for a long time.