RWTH Launches New MediaLab for Teacher Education
The new MediaLab ensures that the approximately 2,000 teacher student in Aachen learn at an early stage how to actively use media in the classroom. “The challenge is to combine didactics and technology in a meaningful way. Didactic considerations however should always take precedence. At the same time, there should be sufficient leeway for students to bring in and implement their creative ideas in the classroom,” said Lars Bücken, managing director of the Teacher Training Center at RWTH. “The goal is to develop didactically sound teaching materials before schools are equipped with the necessary hardware.”
The offerings of the lab are divided into four areas. In the area of Digital Education Curriculum, a module is being designed that provides self-learning components in hybrid learning units. With the help of this module, students can independently explore media-related topics. In the subsequent practical phases, they can apply what they have learned and produce their own podcasts or teaching videos, for example. Staff members Frederic Maquet and Matthias Ehlenz, who set up the MediaLab, and their team of student assistants offer advice and support both in managing the appropriate tools and in providing professional equipment.
Digital Learning Forum is the working title of a university-wide network of all those involved in teacher training. The focus is on connecting all relevant stakeholders, creating synergies, and actively promoting the use of digital media in subject-related didactics. The aim is to build up a structure for the systematic exchange of experience, to provide media-related advice, and to enable students to give their own developments greater scope.
Plenty of Space to Explore Modern Digital Media
The MediaLab Learning Space at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities offers plenty of space to explore modern digital media. In addition to the flexible LabSpace, which can be used as a virtual reality environment, a collaborative workspace, a podcast studio, or a streaming station, several powerful workstations are available. At the LabSpace, digital media can be created and edited according to professional standards. A voice booth allows for audio recording for educational videos or podcasts.
The fourth area of work is concerned with collaboration between schools and the Centers for Practical Teacher Training. The MediaLab team creates practice-oriented offerings for the first phase of teacher training and thus optimally supports students in the practical semester, among other services.