Symbolic image of the treasure chest for helpful outputs of the digit@L project

Project idea

Boost. Skills. Support. An explanation of the ideas and objectives of the digit@L project.

The digit@L project works for students and lecturers at the University of Stuttgart on the topic of digital teaching and learning. In the project, digital teaching/learning material is created as OER, digital skills are trained and digital tools are developed and tested. The project has been funded by the Foundation for Innovation in University Teaching since 2021 with a funding volume of approx. 6 million euros.

In the digit@L project, the University of Stuttgart is endeavouring to support students in their individual learning process with digitally enriched teaching and learning formats and adaptive systems in the face of heterogeneous requirements. On the one hand, the focus is on students in the important first year of study and the target group-specific differentiation of basic courses in digital settings. On the other hand, the University of Stuttgart is specifically expanding the skills profile of students and lecturers.

In order to achieve the project goals, digit@L will bring didactic and (media) technical infrastructure for students and lecturers closer together. Taken together, this contributes to a digital innovation culture. The project builds on the success of previous projects and systematically analysed experiences of the pandemic-related digital semesters. Successfully tested measures will be transferred, sustainably anchored and utilised across disciplines with the implementation of the BOOST, SKILLS and SUPPORT packages of measures. At the same time, new concepts are also being implemented.

The BOOST sets of measures:
  • Media centre: Interdisciplinary explanatory media
  • Learning-adaptive task collection
  • Video tutorials (labs)
The SKILLS sets of measures:
  • Learning with digital media and tools (digital toolbox)
  • Data and machine learning (Python self-learning courses)
  • Technology-based worlds of experience
  • Teaching competences and feedback cycles
  • Establishment of qualification certificates
The SUPPORT sets of measures:
  • Strengthening media didactic and technical support
  • ILIAS development
  • Application lab for e-learning tools
  • Virtual network of makerspaces for students

 

 

Digital BOOST for success and motivation in the first year of study

BOOST creates flexible and customisable digital offerings. These are to be made available in OER-based repositories. The focus is particularly on STEM subjects, which are confronted with increasingly heterogeneous entry requirements. As the acquisition of skills in the critical initial study phase primarily takes place via lectures, tutorials and laboratory practicals, these three course formats are addressed.

Digital SKILLS: Competences for the digital transformation

In SKILLS, digital skills are structurally anchored and focussed in the form of key qualifications for students. The interoperable teaching programme is aimed at natural science, engineering, humanities and social science study profiles. There are also plans to offer courses that allow teachers to develop specific digital skills and participate in feedback cycles for reflection and quality improvement. 

Digital SUPPORT: Infrastructure and services

Needs-based infrastructures and services contribute significantly to the success of good teaching. SUPPORT therefore begins with didactic reflection on the placement of digital teaching and learning offerings and combines the (media) technical and (media) didactic expertise of teaching staff. In the course of this, the cooperation between IT and university didactics is also further dynamised and strengthened.

The project "digit@L - Digital Teaching and Learning at the University of Stuttgart: Boost. Skills. Support." is funded by the Stiftung Innovation in der Hochschullehre.

The drawings are by Jai Wanigesinghe.

To the top of the page