In the summer semester, the university organised an ideas competition for innovative concepts for the future of teaching and learning. The best proposals have now been honoured.
From learning in green spaces to high-tech lecture theatres: the University of Oldenburg today honoured five ideas for the future of teaching and learning. In the ideas competition, students and lecturers were invited to submit original concepts and novel approaches that would improve teaching and learning in the long term. A total of 42 proposals were submitted, for example on new forms of collaboration, the use of modern media or the linking of research and teaching. The patron of the competition was Prof Dr Verena Pietzner, Vice President for Studies, Teaching and International Affairs.
In the "Lecturers" category, the first prize, endowed with 1,000 euros, went to chemist Prof Dr Katharina Al-Shamery. Her idea: the lecture on the theoretical foundations of thermodynamics is enriched by artistic components and the collaboration between students of scientific and artistic subjects in the two-subject Bachelor's programme is further promoted. According to the jury, this special form of interdisciplinary cooperation also offers many suggestions for other subjects.
Computer scientist Sovanna Chhoeung submitted a proposal for a lecture theatre that can be used both virtually and in person. The aim: to adapt teaching and learning to different life situations without the participants losing personal contact with each other. The jury honoured this "forward-looking concept" with second place, for which Chhoeung received 500 euros.
Moving courses to the countryside
Students Jule Reese (two-subject Bachelor's degree) and Jasmin Behnke (Marine Environmental Sciences) as well as Thore Eilers and Hilko Rosenau (Master of Education) came up with the idea of moving learning to the countryside: Reese and Behnke proposed an outdoor learning garden, Eilers and Rosenau submitted a concept entitled "Uni im Grünen". They suggested creating opportunities on campus to move teaching events and group meetings into nature. Both entries were awarded first place and 600 euros each. Second place went to Leonie Neidert and Gvantsa Khutsishvili, both studying for a Master's degree in Art and Media Studies. They impressed the jury with their idea for a digital database of course materials for students and received 300 euros in prize money.
Vice President Verena Pietzner was delighted with the results of the competition: "It was important to us that everyone could take part and let their ideas flow. The result was a large pool of inspiration and concrete starting points," she explained at the award ceremony, where the winners had the opportunity to present their ideas. In addition to Pietzner, the jury also included Prof. Dr Martin Fränzle, Vice President for Research, Transfer and Digitisation, a student member and members of the University Didactics Office. The jury assessed the submitted proposals according to the criteria of usefulness and sustainability, novelty and originality as well as scope or special need.
The ideas competition was financially supported by the Universitätsgesellschaft Oldenburg (UGO).
