{"id":199841,"date":"2026-10-08T15:11:07","date_gmt":"2026-10-08T13:11:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=199841"},"modified":"2026-10-08T15:11:11","modified_gmt":"2026-10-08T13:11:11","slug":"onderwijspionier-etienne-auge-technologie-moet-ervoor-zorgen-dat-we-meer-tijd-hebben-voor-mensen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2026\/10\/08\/onderwijspionier-etienne-auge-technologie-moet-ervoor-zorgen-dat-we-meer-tijd-hebben-voor-mensen\/","title":{"rendered":"Education pioneer Etienne Aug\u00e9: \u2018Technology should give us more time for people\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

EM speaks to lecturers about what they think the education of the future should look like and how they put that into practice in the lecture hall. Etienne Aug\u00e9 is experimenting extensively with technology, with the aim of freeing up more time for personal contact with his students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Etienne

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDaan Stam<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s only one Etienne Aug\u00e9. Or well, actually two. That\u2019s why he prefers to go by Etienne F. Aug\u00e9. He wears suits the way only French men can, is obsessed with science fiction, and immediately thinks of Melania Trump when he hears the word \u2018vision\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the first twenty minutes of his lecture on science fiction, Aug\u00e9 has already shown a hundred slides. His presentations can contain almost 250 slides for a single lecture. Usually, his screen shows no more than a photograph or a quote. He thinks bullet points on slides are inappropriate for a lecture and calls such presentations \u2018PowerPoint karaoke\u2019. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

His lectures feel more like a cinematic experience<\/a> \u2013 he regularly plays film clips lasting several minutes \u2013 or sometimes like a theatre show. \u201cOne of the nicest compliments I ever received\u201d, he says, \u201cwas from a student who said my lecture felt like listening to a podcast.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Melania\u2019s egg<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t bother him with questions about his vision on education. The word \u2018vision\u2019 reminds him of Melania Trump. \u201cHave you seen the film Melania<\/em>?\u201d he asks. In the documentary about US first lady Melania Trump, there is a scene in which she focuses on the details of the pre-inauguration dinner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A luxurious appetiser of caviar was served in a gold-coloured egg, placed in an egg cup on a plate. According to Aug\u00e9, the golden eggs symbolise Trump\u2019s entire inauguration: an over-the-top visual presentation, superficially polished, but lacking class or substance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That is how he also experiences the word \u2018vision\u2019. In his view, it sounds impressive and polished, but often says little. \u201cSince then, whenever I hear the word \u2018vision\u2019, I always think of Melania\u2019s eggs\u201d, he laughs. \u201cIt sounds wonderful, but what is it actually good for?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Science fiction as a window on reality<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Aug\u00e9 teaches courses at the university on science fiction, future studies, propaganda and film studies. The common thread is not a pre-designed teaching programme, but his own curiosity. \u201cI teach about things that I find genuinely interesting. That\u2019s why I can talk about them for hours.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Etienne

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In his lectures, Aug\u00e9 uses films, series and books to discuss developments in society. For him, science fiction is not just entertainment, but also a way of understanding society and thinking about possible futures. \u201cYou can\u2019t build the future without first imagining it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t

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\n\t\t'De Amerikaanse en Franse legers gebruiken sciencefiction. De CIA gebruikt sciencefiction. Verbeelding is een serieus instrument'\n\t<\/blockquote>\n\n\t<\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Science fiction, he says, makes it possible to explore scenarios that once seemed impossible but are becoming increasingly realistic. Governments, armies and international organisations have understood this for some time, he says. \u201cThe French and US armed forces use science fiction. The CIA uses science fiction. Imagination is a serious tool.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He wants to convey the same idea to his students. Students need to understand, he believes, that ideas from films and books can eventually become reality. Those who view technology and social developments only as abstract theory may miss important changes, he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Technology as a tool, not an end in itself<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

That conviction also underpins his experiments with new technology. For example, Aug\u00e9 used AI to develop a metaverse \u2013 a virtual learning environment \u2013 in which students could navigate the teaching material independently. Students can walk around the metaverse with their avatars and receive explanations about the teaching material from a digital mentor. After a semester-long trial, most students still preferred his physical lectures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Etienne

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\u201cSome thought the metaverse looked like a bad version of Fortnite\u201d, he laughs. \u201cActually, that was a good outcome for me. If they had thought the technology was fantastic, that would have been interesting. But if they say: we\u2019d rather have your lectures, then I also know that the human element is important.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More time for personal contact<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Aug\u00e9 does not want to use technology to make lecturers redundant, but to give them more time for students: what if AI and technology could take over some of the transfer of knowledge, leaving a lecturer with more time for conversations with students? He is thinking of the system used at Oxford and Cambridge, where students receive intensive and sometimes one-to-one guidance from a lecturer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soon, he will continue experimenting with the Community for Learning and Innovation to integrate a virtual learning environment into education. \u201cWe want to offer students a better experience online, without losing sight of the human factor.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The arrogance of academia<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Aug\u00e9 is popular with students, yet he is strikingly sceptical about the influence a lecturer can have. \u201cIt\u2019s arrogant for academics to think they can change the lives of an entire generation\u201d, he says. \u201cThe only thing you can do is spark students\u2019 curiosity.\u201d Of the 36 students in his lecture today, many will undoubtedly be there mainly for the credits, he thinks. He does not see this as a problem. \u201cBut if four or five students genuinely take something away from what I tell them, that\u2019s already fantastic.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t

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Etienne F. Aug\u00e9 is an associate professor at the Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication. His main areas of expertise are propaganda, public diplomacy, film studies and science fiction. Aug\u00e9 writes books about propaganda and future studies. His latest book is Superheroes<\/em>, a popular science discussion of the superhero genre. He is popular with students: he was nominated for the IBCoM Awards almost every year and regularly voted best lecturer. He has also twice been shortlisted for Erasmus University\u2019s Education Award.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t

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Een lijst met artikelen<\/h2>\n\t\t\n\t\t
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