Fellowship for Digital Higher Education

The Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences successfully secured funding with a fellowship proposal titled “LernSMART—E-Assessments to Promote Self-Directed Learning Processes in Engineering with a Focus on the Structured Analysis and Solution of More Complex Tasks.” The project proposal was developed by the Technical Thermodynamics department within the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and is now funded by the “Digital Higher Education in Saxony” collaboration initiative.

This inter-university tandem fellowship project involves the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Technical Thermodynamics, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jens Meinert) and the Technical University Bergakademie Freiberg (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Chair of Technical Thermodynamics, Dr.-Ing. Rhena Wulf), the goal is to systematically further develop the teaching practices of both partners, test and implement innovative methods using digital tools, and promote knowledge transfer.

The background to this is the challenge that many students sometimes find the typical calculation problems in introductory engineering modules difficult, even though the mathematical requirements are often manageable. Theoretical understanding and the methodological classification of processes pose the greatest problems. The goal of the project is to develop supplementary e-learning resources to support students in analyzing more complex problems and developing solution strategies derived from them. Central pillars of the project are problem analyses that cannot be solved numerically. Instead, students are encouraged to engage in preliminary思考, based on which problems can be categorized and approaches derived. This format helps support self-directed learning, promote digital competencies, and ensure academic success.

The project is part of the many innovative initiatives of the Saxony Technical Thermodynamics Working Group. This working group, which currently includes representatives from all professorships in this discipline at Saxony’s universities and universities of applied sciences, has been working for many years on the implementation of effective teaching and learning formats and e-learning offerings. Supported by the Digital Higher Education project, this fellowship aims to facilitate the transfer of knowledge within the framework of the Technical Thermodynamics Working Group, after which it will serve as a model for future knowledge transfer initiatives.