Driving forward digitalisation and the further development of e-learning as part of innovative teaching is one of the university’s stated objectives. By this, the university means the possibility of learning that is not tied to a specific location or time – and is therefore more flexible – an intensification of student support through improved communication tools, the enrichment of teaching materials, the enhancement of existing learning processes through innovative teaching methods, and greater student engagement through active integration into the teaching and learning process.
In order to pursue these objectives, the Executive Board has decided to appoint Prof. Dr Joachim Fensterle as the Executive Board’s e-learning officer. Professor Fensterle has been at the university since 2012, working in the Faculty of Life Sciences with a focus on biotechnology. After completing his studies in Braunschweig, Strasbourg and Siena, obtaining his PhD at the Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology in Berlin and serving as a group leader at the University of Würzburg, he moved into the pharmaceutical industry as Head of Vaccine Development. At HSRW, his focus shifted from tumour immunobiology to the possibilities of digitally supported teaching. For this, he was awarded a fellowship for innovation in digital teaching by the Stifterverband, and last year Fensterle received the HSRW Teaching Award, which was themed ‘Innovation through digitalisation – synchronous and asynchronous digitalisation concepts in higher education’.
“Digital teaching cannot replace face-to-face teaching, but it can enhance it and improve its quality. Furthermore, there is great potential here, particularly at our university with its diverse and international student body. Now is precisely the right time to capitalise on the momentum that digital teaching has gained as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and to use it to ensure our university is optimally positioned in terms of digital teaching. For us as a young university, digital teaching offers the opportunity to position ourselves on an equal footing with established universities in this area,” said Joachim Fensterle on his appointment.
This is because digitalisation and e-learning fundamentally affect all levels and units of the university – from individual lecturers and faculties right through to central departments. The digitalisation of study and teaching requires comprehensive support for lecturers and students, particularly in the transformation of traditional face-to-face teaching formats into digitally supported formats. Against this background, the Executive Board wishes to drive forward the strategic development of the existing E-Learning Centre, with a particular focus on implementing the following points:
- The development of strategies and programmes for the digital transformation of teaching at the HSRW
- Improving the quality and level of innovation in digital teaching
- Sharpening the HSRW’s international profile through its impact both internally and externally
The university looks forward to helping shape the future direction of e-learning in the interests of both students and teaching staff. This can only be achieved jointly and on an equal footing with all stakeholders. The appointment of Prof. Dr Joachim Fensterle as E-learning Coordinator is a first step towards the optimised and tailored implementation of e-learning at Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences.
