Digitalization as an opportunity and a blessing for the HSZG?

In the week from April 12 to 16, 2021, the digital peer-to-peer strategy consultation by the Hochschulforum Digitalisierung (HFD), coordinated by the Stifterverband, took place at the HSZG. The aim: with the participation of all members of the HSZG, the aim was to spend a week together discussing what a digitalization strategy for the future of studying and teaching at the HSZG should look like in order to meet the conditions of the HSZG, take up the existing structures and cover the needs of those involved.

Ideas conference on digital teaching

An ideas conference was held at the start of the consultation week, at which an initial exchange took place between members of the university and the consultants. In various rounds of talks with the stakeholders, lighthouses and pain points of digital teaching were discussed and an initial status quo was recorded. Questions
included the following

• How can our strengths be highlighted through digitalization?
• To what extent can the evaluation of teaching be expanded through digital formats?
• Can digitalization minimize the challenge that the two-campus character of the HSZG sometimes entails and create access for members of the other campus?

From a student perspective, the strategy consultation week was an opportunity to get involved and to make visible and discuss the respective ideas, wishes and challenges for all status groups at the HSZG. The most important points for students, such as feedback and evaluation options or cross-course or interdisciplinary teaching content, can certainly benefit from an adapted digitalization strategy.

Presence remains important

Despite all the opportunities offered by digitalization, however, one point stood out in particular in discussions with university members: nothing can completely replace face-to-face teaching. A personal conversation, a heated discussion, a practical test in the lab or applying your own knowledge in the workplace are things that make studying at the HSZG so attractive and that need to be supplemented digitally, but cannot be replaced.

Text: Deborah Halang