Inspiration and exchange

This year’s Teaching Day was something truly special. From May 5 to 15, 2023, an inspiring exhibition on the topic of “Innovative Teaching and Learning Settings” accompanied the event in the foyer of Building Z IV. The exhibition invited visitors not only to learn about and discuss the latest trends and developments in the design of teaching and learning spaces, but also to try them out for themselves.

Innovative teaching and learning spaces are characterized by flexibility, adaptability, and multifunctionality. They offer learners various opportunities to unleash their creativity, strengthen their social skills, and deepen their knowledge. The space thus becomes an active partner and the so-called “third educator” in the learning process, alongside fellow students as the first educators and the actual instructors as the second educators.

The accompanying exhibition not only provided an inspiring environment to explore the latest trends in the design of teaching and learning spaces but also featured a series of public events. Every member of the university community was cordially invited to use these spaces during the week for their own consultations or simply to take a break. Various university events took place as part of the exhibition:

• A discussion on innovative teaching and learning spaces with Mr. Iouri Kotorov of North Karelia University of Applied Sciences, Finland,
• A working meeting with the Vice President for Education and International Affairs,
• a working meeting on university pedagogy and e-learning,
• A class / course on starting a business,
• A meeting of the Rector’s staff,
• Information session on the “Future Learning Center Upper Lusatia,”
• IPM Working Meeting,
• Exchange between the University Data Centre and the Center for e-Learning,
• Lunch barbecue with the Rector, the Vice President, the Student Council, and the Faculty Student Committees.

Many visitors were enthusiastic about the exhibition, as it not only offered the opportunity to find out about the latest developments in this field, but also to try them out in practice.

Participants were able to actively experience various teaching and learning settings, thereby gaining new insights for their own teaching practices.

The exhibition “Innovative Teaching and Learning Settings” was thus not only an informative event but also a platform for active exchange and inspiration for faculty, students, and anyone interested in the field of modern higher education.

In the next step of the “Campus 4 You” action area within the “Zukunftslernort Oberlausitz (ZUKLOS)” project, the results of the surveys and in-person interviews will be analyzed. In total, over 150 evaluations and pieces of information were submitted regarding the exhibits. In particular, the flexibility and design were highlighted positively. Many participants expressed a strong desire to furnish the HSZG’s open spaces and rooms with this furniture. In addition to much praise, there was also valuable information regarding the teaching and learning furniture for its future use. Participants provided information on the need for good media availability as well as on the maintenance and cleaning of the furniture. Furthermore, care should be taken during the planning phase to ensure that the furniture is designed to be inclusive and features creative accessories such as whiteboards, chalkboards, and screens. Based on these insights, further planning will proceed with the goal of designing selected open spaces and classrooms at the university’s Zittau and Görlitz campuses in an innovative and future-proof manner.

We would like to sincerely thank all participants for their information and ideas, which have contributed to the co-creation of the future campus.