Create an optimal learning environment!

How can we best support our students’ learning processes and design innovative teaching and learning spaces? This central question was the focus of Teaching Day, which took place on May 10, 2023, at the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences’ Zittau campus.

Under the motto “Campus 4 You – Designing Innovative Teaching and Learning Spaces Together,” Professor Sophia Keil, Vice President for Education and International Affairs, invited the university community to discuss ideas and concepts for designing modern teaching and learning spaces on the Zittau and Görlitz campuses.

Teaching Day offered participants inspiring presentations by our students as well as by renowned experts on the topic of modern teaching and learning space design.

The students’ wishes were presented by the Student Council, represented by Ms. Miriam Meyer and Mr. Johann Scheffel. They highlighted the strong interest among our students in the future design of seminar rooms, makerspaces, and open areas. Students would like open and welcoming learning spaces for projects, as well as quiet areas for personal interaction. In particular, there was discussion about modular seminar rooms with customizable furnishings to accommodate various teaching and learning situations. It was emphasized that the latest technology isn’t the only factor that matters. A modern and welcoming campus also includes accessible initiatives such as planting fruit trees and shrubs, covered bicycle parking, and lockers for teaching materials in all buildings.“The HSZG campus should be a campus of the future, offering an inspiring and inclusive environment where students from different departments can come together, exchange ideas, and jointly develop innovative solutions,” the students emphasized at the conclusion of their presentation. These important suggestions were submitted to the Rector’s Office, and it will now be a matter of implementing the students’ wishes in accordance with the HSZG’s capabilities.

Dr. Dr. Dierk Suhr, Head of Communications & Education at Hohenloher Spezialmöbelwerk, gave a presentation titled “The Space as the Third Educator—New Teaching Methods Also Require New Spatial Concepts.” In his talk, he provided valuable insights into the future of learning, which will be significantly shaped by collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity. These elements are greatly influenced by the learning environment. It is therefore important for every educational institution to take this into account in its planning and to explore new approaches to knowledge transfer.

Prof. Dr. Richard Stang of the Stuttgart Media University presented “Designing Learning Spaces for the Future,” outlining perspectives for a new approach to the design of learning spaces. As a long-time contributor to successful research projects on the topic of “The University as a Learning Environment,” Professor Stang placed particular emphasis on the development of teaching and learning arrangements at universities. It became clear that there is a need for action not only in the areas of university organization, university pedagogy, digital structures, and physical teaching and learning spaces. To create a student-centered learning environment at universities, it is also crucial that higher education policy actively shapes this transformation.

Katrin Schillinger, project manager for hybrid learning spaces at HAW Hamburg, shared her experiences and insights on new teaching and learning spaces in her presentation titled “Acting Innovatively and Anchoring Strategically—Campus Development at HAW Hamburg.” The focus was on the question of how students prefer to learn, which led to an open and hybrid space concept. Using the example of HAW Hamburg, it became clear that students want the opportunity to work on group projects, immerse themselves in individual work without distractions, or find a quiet space to relax between seminars.

The event was supported by the projects "MINOS - MINT-mach-Region Ostsachsen" and "Zukunftslernort Oberlausitz" (ZukLOS). Among other things, these projects are committed to actively involving children, young people and students in the process of designing future spaces in order to adequately take their needs and requirements into account.

The following video provides a brief insight into the event. We would like to thank Mr. Steffen Cieplik, a lecturer at the Saxon Film Academy in Görlitz, who shot the video.

Teaching Day at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences was a great success and offered participants valuable insights into current developments and challenges in designing innovative teaching and learning spaces. The university is thus demonstrating its pioneering role in modern higher education and underscoring its commitment to future-oriented university teaching.