Lia Voerman

Lia Voerman is a Lecturer in Didactics of High Expectations at the Knowledge Center for Talent Development at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences since June 1, 2020. She holds a doctorate from Utrecht University (2014) with a thesis on teacher feedback in the classroom.

Her research focuses on didactics, specifically how teachers can stimulate learning through activating interaction, questioning techniques, and effective feedback. She explores how teacher expectations influence student learning, motivation, and opportunities, with particular attention to educational equity and reducing achievement gaps. Her work examines how teachers communicate expectations through their behavior and how this affects students from diverse backgrounds.

Her publications and research consistently address the practical application of educational theory, particularly through her development of Didactic Coaching. Her recent work has focused on high expectations in the classroom, the Pygmalion effect, and effective teaching strategies for online environments.

Scientific Awards:

• Audience Award at the NRO-VOR Practice Award (2016) for 'Didactic Coaching' book co-authored with Frans Faber

Lia Voerman advises teachers on implementing effective didactic approaches through her own company and serves as chairman of the Didactic Coaching Foundation. She also holds an advisory appointment at Utrecht University. Her inaugural lecture on October 7, 2021 focused on how teachers communicate expectations to students and how this influences learning outcomes.

She leads research projects including 'Building Self-Regulated Learning Together (MOZAIC)' and has developed approaches to help teachers foster critical thinking in students through strategic questioning and specific feedback rather than general praise.