E-Learning

With e-learning we support the traditional teachings and enable the lecturers in using new learning forms. We design their teaching methods according to the Blended-Learning Concept. Each lecturer can apply individually fitted and collaborative learning forms.

We are convinced that an active investigation leads to a better comprehension of content. That is the main reason why our lecturers use several interactive and collaborative e-learning forms. Study and teaching through e-learning is diversified. E-learning facilitates an active acquirement of teaching content and helps the students to improve their critical thinking and problem solving skills. It also assists lecturers in controlling the learning progress of their students.

The e-learning coordination of the Institute encourages and coaches our lecturers in using different e-learning forms appropriately and discusses their experiences with them. We were convinced from the beginning that e-learning at our institute could only be successful if we align it with the needs of our lecturers. We therefore established an e-learning and teaching culture. It is now clear that this strategy was very fruitful. The majority of the lecturers use a variety of collaborative and interactive teaching and e-learning forms and several are willing to try new forms.

As a part of our e-learning and teaching culture we have established, in the context of Swiss Virtual Campus (funded by the Swiss Government), a project called DIGIREP (Digital Repository of Shareable Learning Objects Introducing to Communication and Media Studies). The project offers individual and collaborative learning forms: The e-learning-modules for self-study introduce the undergraduate students to key topics and approaches of media and communication studies. The case studies help the students to improve their critical thinking and problem solving skills as well as introducing them to the techniques of scientific work. The assessment questions give the students the opportunity to control their progress. In turn, the lecturers can use the results of the test questions to determine the progress of students. Lecturers can use the four DIGIREP parts completely modularly, which means that all content can be combined in whatever way they choose. It is thus possible to fit the chosen DIGIREP contents with the lecture topic. This individual adaption to the actual needs of the lecturer and his or her students increases the sustainable learning success.

Lectures using e-learning forms are asked to complete surveys by the in-house e-learning coordination. The results of these surveys are regularly discussed with students, lecturers, teaching assistants and IPMZ executives, so that we can constantly improve our efforts. The use of diverse e-learning-forms is increasing and they are now a compulsory part of many lectures in the BA- and MA-programs.