I am currently doing my Bachelor in International Relations at the Karlshochschule and I am very happy. The degree offers interesting content and is really fun. The fact that CHANCEN eG is financing my studies is a relief for me. For the next year I am planning a semester abroad, most likely in Latin America.
Due to the current situation I decided to live with my parents, where I have a garden, a balcony and great internet connectivity. Now I usually sit in front of my laptop to study, but I try to go out as much as possible in between to enjoy the good weather.
Thankfully the Karlshochschule was already very well set up digitally before the coronavirus started spreading. We use the platform Moodle. Professors can upload their materials of the lectures and we can submit our homework for revision. New is that we have completely switched to online lectures since the 16th of March. Instead of the usual lectures we now have virtual meetings. From a technical standpoint this works really well. Microsoft Teams is a great solution and Karlshochschule is already working on adapting the didactic concept to the principles of virtual learning. Even the older professors are coping well with the format. In addition to video conferences, tutors use chats and survey tools to ensure that the lectures are as interactive as possible.
I like the online lectures because I have more time for other things now. I don’t have to commute to university every day, I can get things done in between courses and I’m more productive overall. However, it is at times harder to concentrate since our lectures are 3 to 5 hours, and can already be draining even when they are not online.
We try to prevent a lack of concentration by taking regular ten-minute breaks together with the tutors. In our Freshmen group we discussed a kind of bingo challenge that is triggered when a certain sentence or word is dropped. Maybe this will help to stay focussed.
In certain modules we often work in groups, which we are now trying to organise online. Without spontaneous personal contact, however, this is more difficult. Again, professors are trying to adapt to the situation, e.g. by giving fewer group assignments and changing certain requirements for the final exams.
The situation remains special, but fortunately does not change to our disadvantage.
