How Wooclap helps UvA makes learning interactive, secure, and supported

Two institutions, one vision for digital learning

The University of Amsterdam (UvA) and the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (AUAS) together represent one of the largest educational ecosystems in the Netherlands, over 85,000 students, a shared IT department, and a joint mission: to provide the best possible digital learning environment.

As an IT and Education consultant working for both institutions, David Schoon is part of the Product Teams for the Digital Learning Environment. His role spans from collecting requirements to implementing and evaluating educational tools. “We ensure that lecturers and students are provided with the educational tools that they need,” he explains.

And among those tools, one in particular has transformed daily teaching practice: Wooclap.

From scattered tools to one unified, privacy-first solution

Before adopting Wooclap, UvA and AUAS noticed a growing problem. Many lecturers were already using audience response tools but on their own.

“Lecturers were using free versions of these tools on their personal accounts. This was concerning to us, since we had no control over what happens to the answers that students submit and the metadata that are collected.”

The solution was clear: to protect student data and simplify the learning experience, both institutions decided to procure a single, institution-wide audience response tool.

After a round of market research, the choice fell naturally on Wooclap, for its European data protection standards, pedagogical design, and user-friendliness.

Implementing Wooclap: from setup to adoption

Technically, integrating Wooclap into the university systems was straightforward. “We just needed to make sure all lecturers and students were able to sign in using their organization credentials.”

The real challenge? Adoption.

The IT and Education teams worked hand in hand with the Communications department and with support from Wooclap’s Customer Success team to ensure every lecturer knew how to access and use the platform.

That effort paid off: the universities equipped all faculties with ready-to-use materials to promote the use of Wooclap internally.

Making classrooms more interactive and inclusive

Among all the features available, two stand out as the most used across UvA and AUAS:

• Multiple Choice Questions, for quick checks of understanding.
• Open Questions, for deeper reflection and discussion.

“They’re a great way for lecturers to check students’ understanding, allowing them to adjust their lessons accordingly,” says David. 

Another favorite is the Message Wall, which has had a particularly strong impact in large lectures:

“Sometimes students don’t get the chance to ask a question during a large lecture, or they lack the confidence to do so. The message wall makes asking questions more accessible. Other students can see the messages and realize they’re not the only one struggling.”

By creating a safe, anonymous space for expression, Wooclap helps even the quietest students take part in the learning process.

A visible impact on engagement and on trust

The switch to Wooclap had measurable effects. First, the use of unsecured, free tools declined sharply, meaning student privacy is now better protected.

Second, the didactical benefits became clear: more interactivity, more engagement, and richer discussions in class.

“Instead of information heading in one direction, from lecturer to student, there can be a back and forth between them,” notes David.

One lecturer in particular, Kees Haasnoot (UvA), uses Wooclap as a springboard for group discussions, turning wrong answers into opportunities to explore reasoning and reflection.

According to a recent survey, Wooclap is rated the top educational tool at UvA for user-friendliness, and most students agree or strongly agree that it adds value to their education.

A partnership built on trust and collaboration

Beyond the product itself, the universities value the partnership with Wooclap.

“Wooclap is always willing to discuss feature requests. If a request makes sense and would also benefit other clients, there’s a good chance it will be implemented.”

They also appreciate the close follow-up provided by Christopher Pingeon, Learning Success Manager at Wooclap:

“He does a great job supporting our tool adoption by providing user statistics and keeping us informed of Wooclap’s projects and innovations. Whenever we encounter issues or need to discuss strategic key points: security, privacy, or accessibility, he makes sure it’s picked up by the right people.”

For UvA and AUAS, this ongoing collaboration ensures that their digital learning environment evolves hand in hand with educators’ real needs.

When interactivity meets trust

By choosing a single, privacy-first, education-oriented platform, the University of Amsterdam and the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences have created a more coherent, secure, and interactive digital learning environment.

Their experience is a reminder that the right tool doesn’t just make teaching easier, it helps institutions align technology with their core mission: supporting teachers and empowering learners.