First, the good news: »Almost all teaching content from the Faculty of Civil Engineering can be converted into digital offerings«, reported Prof. Conrad Völker, Dean of Studies. In record time, the teaching staff has begun developing a wide range of e-learning formats in order to make the 2020 summer semester as attractive as possible. These have already been tested within the framework of the advanced degree programmes "elBau" and "nuBau".
»The main focus of architectural studies is the research-based design and project study, in which actual design tasks and experiments make up the elementary basis« – the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism promotes the architectural studies at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar. But how to begin and provide such teaching without accessing libraries or workshops, or without conducting personal consultations, team meetings or excursions?
»Digital teaching« has long been practised at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar. However, until now, digital tools have mainly been integrated into classroom teaching and used as a supplement. Digital teaching is currently being implemented throughout the country in the shortest possible time since it is currently not to rely on our traditional teaching and learning methods. Within a few weeks, the usual and planned teaching content must be digitally prepared, adapted, and new solutions must be found.
Current issues: Thuringia, Germany, Europe and the entire world are experiencing a situation the like of which has never been seen before, as a result of the spread of the coronavirus. The coronavirus pandemic and the resulting restrictions on travel and contact have majorly impacted higher education – whether teaching and studies, research, or university operations as a whole. All university members (students, teachers and members of staff) have been subject to significant restrictions and extra burdens as a result of this unforeseeable development.
The summer semester was actually scheduled to have started early in April. Instead of groups of students enjoying their first coffee together in the sun in the Bauhaus.Atelier, the view at the moment is a single, seemingly lost pigeon pacing back and forth in the courtyard of the University Library. A deserted campus instead of a summer semester packed with events and projects? Not at all! The university and its faculties are working hard to get the semester ready, mostly from their home offices. The semester will definitely take place – but under very special conditions.
Dr. Winfried Speitkamp, President of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, has spoken out against the idea of making the 2020 summer semester non-credited (a »non-semester«). Instead, he has encouraged teachers and students to turn their attentions to current social issues and take a creative approach to the crisis.
What happens when you cough? With the help of a so-called Schlieren mirror, researchers in the Building Physics department make visible what is normally hidden from the naked eye: Air currents in a room. The short film impressively shows why we should follow the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendations on how to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
