Study success KOM3

Study skills, digital skills and problem-solving skills through interdisciplinary formats

The “Academic Success KOM³” project at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences (HSZG) aims to improve academic success through the targeted development of study skills, digital competencies, and problem-solving skills. The focus is on innovative, interdisciplinary learning arrangements that prepare students from all disciplines for the demands of the digital transformation. The core objectives are to reduce dropout rates, promote equal opportunity, and break down barriers to access educational programs.

Goals

The project aims to ensure a sustainable supply of skilled workers in Saxony and supports the regional economy by training graduates with digital competencies.

The project focuses on implementing adaptive learning formats that flexibly adjust to individual learning needs and promote basic digital competencies. The use of an AI-powered learning assistant is intended to pave the way for personalized learning support. The project integrates approaches from Computational Social Science (CSS) to strengthen data-driven methodological competence and data literacy. By combining perspectives from the social sciences and data science, students are empowered to professionally evaluate digital data and make evidence-based decisions.

Project implementation

At HSZG, the project is centrally affiliated with the Prorectorate for Education and Sustainability. The implementation of the subprojects is coordinated by lead partners at the Faculty of Social Sciences (Prof. Steffi Heidig, Prof. K. Petzold) and at the Centre for eLearning (Prof. M. Längrich).

Results from the project (selection)
  • The “Digital Learningsnacks” subproject presents a paper at the Workshop on e-Learning 2026
    “Adaptable Digital Learningsnacks: Development of Flexible Microlearning Units to Promote Interdisciplinary Digital Competencies”
    Link to the conference program

    Publication:
    Freudenreich, R.; Heidig, S. (2026): Adaptable Digital Learning Snacks: Development of Flexible Microlearning Units to Promote Interdisciplinary Digital Competencies. In: Längrich, M. & Schuster, E. (Eds.): 24th Workshop on e-Learning—Conference Proceedings. September 8, 2026, Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences. Scientific Reports, Issue 139 – 2026, ISBN: 978-3-941521-38-4 – pp. 17–28.

  • The “Digital Learningsnacks” subproject presents initial results at the HSZG Teaching Exchange”
    “Online Learningsnacks to Promote Digital Competencies—a New, Innovative Teaching-Learning Format for Students from the HSZG’s KOM3 Project”
  • “Digital Learningsnacks” Subproject Presents Teaching-Learning Format at HSZG’s Teaching Day
    “Building Digital Competencies with Learningsnacks”
    Link to the poster
  • Digital Competencies as the Key
    “The KOM³ Project Sets New Standards with Interdisciplinary Learning Formats”
    Link to the HSZG news release

Project management

Prof. Dr. phil.
Małgorzata Maćkowiak
University Executive Board
02763 Zittau
Theodor-Körner-Allee 16
Building Z I, Room 1.51.1
1st floor
+49 3583 612-4288

AI learning companion sub-project

Prof. Dr. phil.
Matthias Längrich
Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science'
02826 Görlitz
Brückenstraße 1
Building G II, Room A113
+49 3581 374-4265

Digital learning snacks sub-project

Dr. Steffi Heidig
Prof. Dr. phil.
Steffi Heidig
Faculty of Social Sciences
02826 Görlitz
Brückenstraße 1
Building G II, Room B 152
First floor
+49 3581 374-4688

Learning events sub-project

Prof. Dr. rer. pol. habil.
Knut Petzold
Faculty of Social Sciences
02826 Görlitz
Furtstrasse 2
Building G I, Room 2.06
2nd floor
+49 3581 374-4437

Application Number: 100773909
Grant Recipient: Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences
Project period: November 1, 2025 – October 31, 2027
Funding agency: SAB/ESF Plus
Maximum grant amount: 421,183.15 EUR