DigiLab
As part of the project, a digital laboratory (DigiLab) was set up for the development and application of Open Educational Resources (OERs). In view of increasing networking and the introduction of digital media into everyday school life, pupils must not only develop subject-specific skills in English, but also acquire critical and functional media skills. This requires modern training for future teachers who integrate interdisciplinary digital teaching and learning formats into their lessons (cf. KMK 2016, 2021).
The DigiLab of the English didactics department at Kiel University offers prospective teachers a modern simulation room in which they can research and test digital teaching scenarios. By illustrating a wide range of technical implementation options, such as the use of digital blackboards, tablet classes and hybrid settings, innovative teaching and learning research for media-savvy foreign language teaching is carried out here. The focus here is on the critical evaluation of the didactic potential of digital and non-digital teaching and learning formats, which flows directly into the development of materials.
The DigiLab was set up by Prof. Dr. Susanne Heinz, Dr. Ingrid Paulsen and Sean Holt, M.Ed.
On the one hand, DigiLab follows the “Bring Your Own Device” (BYOD) approach, in which teachers and students bring and use their own end devices. In this format, it is not necessary for devices to be purchased by the school itself. As compatibility between the different devices and operating systems (e.g. Android, Chrome, iOS) is difficult in practice, the DigiLab was designed in such a way that personal mobile devices can still be used seamlessly. In this way, the DigiLab can show how digital teaching can be implemented effectively and in a targeted manner without focusing on a specific manufacturer or device type. The DigiLab can also realistically simulate and depict a modern tablet class (here designed as an iPad class). In this way, students can be prepared for numerous forms of digitally supported English lessons and at the same time the training of critical media skills (e.g. with regard to data protection, links to established methods, etc.) can be specifically promoted in project seminars.
(cf. Heinz 2014a; Heinz 2014b)
The devices and formats used in the DigiLab are compatible with common school systems and offer teachers an extensive repertoire of digitally supported learning scenarios. These support teachers in supplementing traditional methods and opening up new possibilities, such as the production of explanatory videos or the creation of MOOCs.
Our devices
Feel free to browse through our range and be inspired!
