University didactics
If you ask people whether they can learn to teach, they usually answer that they can't: they either have a talent for it or they don't. Even if it cannot be denied that some people have better prerequisites than others, this is wrong: very extensive research in schools and universities shows where the levers for effective student learning lie. In addition, there are theoretical models for teaching competence. In short: teaching can be learned! It is a competence that can be continuously developed - up to and including a research-based approach to one's own teaching (keyword Scholarship of Teaching and Learning). Courses and lectures often need several rounds until they are fully developed. The FH Aachen therefore attaches great importance to the continuous development of teaching and offers teachers a large portfolio of support options.
We support teachers' learning in a variety of ways: From classic workshops to innovative formats such as challenges and learning modules in the area of university and media didactics, to valuable tips and research results on our own blog. We also have an extensive introductory programme for new professors.
However, our culture of exchange about good teaching is particularly important to us. Here, too, there are many networking events where teachers can exchange concrete experiences with didactic methods or technical tools. Throughout the year, we offer university-wide events such as the digital university didactics lunch break (Tafel-Runde), the Stammtisch Lehre and the Tag der Lehre. In addition, we promote the exchange with teachers from other universities, especially in the education state of NRW.
Student feedback is essential for the further development of teaching. Teachers therefore have various evaluation tools and processes at their disposal to collect this feedback anonymously and according to professional standards. For our teachers, this re-registration is sometimes processed together with other data and statistics on the development of courses and lectures in a clear manner. They receive support with questions on interpretation and the derivation of measures.
Teaching is a joint task: In addition to improving one's own course, embedding it in the curriculum is also important; after all, the interaction of the various modules should result in an overall competence profile for the students. In order to enable teachers to make an appropriate contribution to the curriculum, FH Aachen offers curriculum workshops in the colleges and collects a lot of data and information at degree programme level.
Teaching in the digitalised world is mostly realised with the use of digital tools. Since these bring their own didactic, legal and technical challenges, the FH Aachen also offers support here (more on this topic under Digital University Teaching).
