Jun 13, 2023
Presentation of initial proposed solutions for the teaching strategy
Under the motto “Teach, learn, inspire: into the future together,” the sTUDies 3.0 teaching strategy team and Vice-Rector Academic Affairs Prof. Michael Kobel hosted the first Dialog Forum in the Dülfersaal Ballroom on June 9, 2023. The aim of the event was to give TUD members the opportunity to actively shape the development of the teaching strategy. More than 60 participants took part in the lively discussion which used the World Café discussion format as a basis.
The participants were given the opportunity to discuss the proposed solutions during two time slots at six different tables each focused on different topics. The moderators then presented the most pertinent results in the plenary session.
At Dr. Martin Gerner's (Center for Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching, ZiLL) and Dr. Sylvia Maus's (Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf) table, collaboration with NGOs and others in studying and teaching was presented as a possible approach. The moderators and participants focused on two questions in this context: How can transfer be ensured in the long term and what can transfer achieve? How can the visibility of these collaborations be improved?
The question of increased visibility for existing and future structures at TUD, collaborations, ideas and concepts was a common theme at all the tables. At his topic table, Maik Jähne (Saxon State and University Library Dresden, SLUB) invited participants to discuss the accessibility and visibility of existing labs and testing facilities. During the plenary session, he summarized the discussion that took place at his table as follows: “How can I ensure that the data for future laboratory listings is correct and that the rooms can be found by interested parties? In the future, users will need a platform where they can describe the facilities of their own accord, simply because it's fun for them to enter it there. No one is interested in any other platform type.”
Anne Jantos (Center for Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching, ZiLL) presented the approach to the definition and description of a digital learning culture. In summarizing the discussion results, she referred to the need to provide a definition for “learning culture” that also encompasses the values of TU Dresden and emphasized that there is no difference between an analog and a digital culture. Moreover, the group called for more support and encouraged participation in digital learning culture.
Adrian Zimmermann (student, Faculty of Computer Science) led the discussion on integrating interdisciplinary teaching and learning methods into the curriculum, and described two areas of interdisciplinary teaching and learning methods during the plenary session: services offered by teaching staff to students and initiatives for interdisciplinary projects organized by students. The group tackled the question of how the difficulties of awarding credit for these academic achievements in all degree programs could be resolved.
Dr. Robert Fischer (Chair of Industrial Design Engineering) used his table to collect ideas on how to structurally integrate Digital Change Agents (DCA) at TUD. The focus was on the question of DCAs’ role as consultants in change processes and on how to strengthen their internal networking. He presented these preliminary considerations as an impetus for one of the teaching strategy working groups in the fourth quarter.
For Stephanie Gaaw (Center for Quality Analysis) the question of how to increase visibility was also key. She moderated the discussion on the transparent presentation of quality management structures for studies and teaching at TU Dresden. This group discussed how various stakeholders can be provided with information and be encouraged to use a data portal.
In his welcome address, Vice-Rector Michael Kobel introduced the main topic of the day: He called for more fun in teaching and, above all, more fun in collaborative work. The other tables fulfilled this desire, as they all had a positive working atmosphere. The Teaching Strategy Team will follow up on the request for more discussion and increased visibility of the work of all involved and will provide more news on the matter in the future. Moreover, on International Students’ Day on November 17, there will once again be an opportunity to find out more about the proposed solutions for the teaching strategy.