Center for Teaching Innovation
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Overview
Fields of work
Innovation scouting - for the systematic and strategic further development of studies and teaching
The competence requirements for university graduates are subject to continuous change. Therefore, studies and teaching must also be constantly developed in order to remain relevant. Professional requirement profiles change, as do the prerequisites and expectations of students. At the same time, didactic and technical innovations as well as changes in higher education policy open up new scope for development.
The Center for Teaching Innovation contributes to the necessary strategic development of teaching and learning. To this end, we systematically monitor current developments and trends in the field of teaching and learning in the national and international higher education landscape. We conduct empirical needs analyses and develop well-founded action strategies and concepts for innovations in teaching and learning together with teachers, students, other stakeholders and decision-makers at the university, and participate in their implementation. For this purpose, we also research calls for proposals, design project proposals with relevance to university strategy, and accompany the implementation of corresponding initiatives.
We support the development and implementation of successful and sustainable university teaching and contribute directly and indirectly to the competence development of students.
In our work to date, teaching innovations in three areas have emerged as currently particularly relevant for Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences: Innovations in digitization, peer learning formats, and academic writing. However, this is not an exhaustive list - the freedom of teaching applies, and there are no limits to teaching innovations in terms of teaching/learning formats, topics, and challenges addressed.
Exemplary fields of innovation
Digitization - Innovation through digitization in teaching
Digital tools and formats can enrich classroom teaching in many ways. The importance of digital teaching has recently increased by leaps and bounds.
We develop strategies and concepts to take advantage of the opportunities offered by digitization to improve the quality of teaching and learning, and advise decision-makers at the university in this regard. We also promote digitization in teaching by advising and supporting teachers and higher education institutions at Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences in the conception and implementation of teaching formats with digital elements, and by implementing media didactic workshops and exchange rounds.
Academic writing and work - innovation by strengthening writing-intensive teaching.
Scientific writing and work play an important role in engineering studies and professional practice. The corresponding competencies must be developed, trained and supported across faculties in an integrated manner.
We advise and support teachers with regard to the promotion of writing competencies, the creation of writing occasions in specialized courses as well as the competence-oriented curricular anchoring of scientific writing. We coordinate the university-wide writing consultation program and advise students individually on academic theses and other writing projects - supported by student peer writing consultants. In addition, we organize the HKA's Writing Night and we contribute to courses on academic writing and work.
Student Peer Tutoring and Peer Mentoring - Innovation through Peer Learning Formats.
Not only the participating students benefit from peer formats, but also the student tutors and mentors develop their professional and interdisciplinary competencies.
We support teachers and higher education institutions with regard to the use and curricular anchoring of such peer formats and we accompany the conception and testing of innovative peer learning offers. We coordinate and further develop student peer tutoring and peer mentoring formats throughout the university. To support competence development, we also conduct preparation, training, and reflection events for student tutors and mentors, and we advise the students involved individually.