Second date of the DUTy Lecture Series in the winter semester 2022/23Lecture on ‘Designing hybrid learning spaces’ by Prof Dr Christian Kohls on Lecture2Go

20 January 2023

Photo: UHH/Lecture2go

‘Design is an important concept because what constitutes teaching or learning does not just happen by chance’ (Prof Dr Christian Kohls).

What are hybrid learning spaces? Christian Kohls, Professor of Computer Science and Socio-Technical Systems and Dean of the Faculty of Computer Science and Engineering at TH Köln, will only answer this central question at the end of his lecture on 13 December 2022. He will derive a general definition of hybrid learning spaces and varieties of hybridity from successful practical examples of spatial concepts and joint design processes of university spaces by different status groups.

Kohls begins by looking at the general design of rooms: various seating options for different types of work, interactive elements, retreat options, but also organisational requirements such as support and bookability form the starting point for his considerations. Based on the planned and realised room concepts, he also addresses the general tasks of the campus. Here he sees a pyramid of needs in which a safe and inclusive environment forms the basis. Building on this are structures that enable participation. The top forms the prerequisites for a learning and knowledge community. In addition to the opportunity for informal encounters, Kohls also emphasises the symbolic power of spatial design. He then presents six different types of hybridity, including online participation in face-to-face events, flexible room utilisation and the use of digital media on campus.

Hybrid learning spaces in general are created by linking physical and digital learning environments. This creates new opportunities to create different forms of collaboration. The aim is to dissolve dichotomies and think in different spaces at the same time. In addition to virtual and physical space, there are also didactic, social and activity-based spaces that need to be integrated.

You can also watch the lecture again in the following video:

The last lecture in this series will take place on 7 February 2023. Prof Dr Sandra Hofhues, Professor of Media Didactics at the Fernuni Hagen, will speak on the topic of ‘Studying in the digital age’. The event will take place digitally.