Research and Projects
Our department is concerned with research questions on the subject of teaching and learning. Research focuses on learning with new media and the promotion of self-regulation of the learner and the use of effective learning strategies.
In addition to typical learning studies in the laboratory, we conduct field studies in order to develop and analyze effective instructional design for higher education and further education.
Current research projects
ViGaTu – Virtual Gastro Tutor
Since 1 May 2020, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has been funding the project "Guideline-compliant work by means of virtual reality for doctors and non-medical staff in endoscopy (ViGaTu)". The aim of the project partners - Würzburg University Hospital, Ulm University, ThreeDee GmbH and Bildungswerk e.V. - is to develop a cost-effective and widely applicable VR simulation of an endoscopy environment for qualification purposes.
Learners are given the opportunity to acquire the necessary competences and skills in the sense of the cognitive apprenticeship approach in an authentic but protected setting. For the initial, self-directed teaching of the guideline-compliant procedure, interactive presentations and self-tests are initially provided on the Moodle learning platform. Finally, learners can rehearse the application in the VR simulation. In the process, the degree of guidance is gradually reduced until the learners can independently apply the competences and skills they have gained to different tasks.
From the perspective of teaching and learning research, the research interests include understanding and supporting metacognitive processes in the VR environment.
Project homepage: https://www.endoscopy-campus.com/literatur/vigatut/
Funding note: This project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) in the program "Digital Media in Vocational Education and Training in the Health Professions (DigiMed)".
2Like - Individualising learning paths and learning processes through AI methods
The BMBF is funding the 2LIKE project in the programme "Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Higher Education". In the 2LIKE project, individualised digital learning opportunities are being developed on two levels: At the macro level, individualised learning paths offer the possibility to compensate for deficits or to deepen learning content in a competence-oriented way. At the micro level, personalised feedback supports individual learning processes. Both adaptivity approaches use AI-supported methods and best practices of automated teaching and learning systems.
Funding note: This project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) in the program "AI in Higher Education".
AuCity 3 - Collaborative and adaptive mixed reality in university teaching using the example of civil engineering
The partners of "AuCity 3" are convinced that reality-enhancing, computer-supported applications could have a positive influence on the learning and understanding of complex subjects - and this was already demonstrated in the first project phase "AuCity 2".
In "AuCity 3" we are also investigating how the learning material can adapt to the learners and how collaborative learning can function in immersive learning environments.
Link to the homepage: https://www.uni-weimar.de/de/bauingenieurwesen/forschung/projekt-aucity-3/
Funding note: This project is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) in the programme "Digital Higher Education".
LIMO - Learning Journey. Individual. Informal. Mobile
The LI2Mo project (Learning Journey. Individual. Informal. Mobile.) investigates design recommendations for active, individual learning in agile, learning organisations. In this context, individual learning paths are created with the help of approaches from artificial intelligence research, taking into account critical learner characteristics.
The interaction of the three core components (organisation, learning platform provided (Ilias) and learner) will be researched more closely and existing learning formats will be further developed. In the case of the learning employee, the focus is particularly on strengthening self-learning competence in informal learning environments.
Funding note: This project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) in the programme "INVITE - Digitale Plattform berufliche Bildung".
Digitised teaching and learning
Handout for teachers and learners with current research findings from the Teaching & Learning Research.
To the overview: "Effektives Lernen mit digitalen Medien"
Completed externally funded projects
AuCity 2 - Virtual Reality & Augmented Reality
Using Augmented Reality at university.
A BMBF-funded joint project of the Bauhaus University of Weimar and the University of Ulm (2018-2022).
Lida - Learning in the digitalised world of work
The LidA project dealt with the effects of the digital transformation.
This research and development project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) in the programme " Innovationen für die Produktion, Dienstleistung und Arbeit von morgen" (2019-2022).
EffIS - Efficient Interactive Studies
Cooperation with the School of Advanced Professional Studies (SAPS) at the University of Ulm.
BMBF competition programme "Advancement through Education: Open Universities" (2014-2020).
NOW:Master - demand-oriented continuing education up to the Master's degree
Cooperation project with Ulm University of Applied Sciences
Funded by the State Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts (MWK) (2014-2018).
Mod:Master - Modular to Master
Cooperation with the School of Advanced Professional Studies (SAPS) at Ulm University.
BMBF competition program "Advancement through Education: Open Universities" (2011-2015)
UULM PRO MINT & MED
Participation in the overall application UULM PRO MINT & MED of the University of Ulm and the establishment of the Centre for Teaching Development in the MINT Subjects and Medicine (ZLEMM).
Program "Quality Pact for Teaching" of the Federal Government and the Länder: "University Teaching in a Changing Society: Shaping Critical Transition Phases in an Innovative Way, Optimising and Internationalising Teaching" funded by the BMBF (2016-2020).
Clever - learning: Developing professionalism of pedagogical staff in educational institutions.
Analysis and teaching of diagnostic and support competences of teachers in relation to key learning-strategic competences of pupils
Cooperation project with Prof. Petra Herzmann, University of Cologne
Approved application 01JH0925, BMBF project in the Framework Program for the Promotion of Empirical Educational Research (2010-2013)
Analysis and promotion of transformation processes in learning with multiple representations in mathematics
Cooperation project with Prof. Markus Vogel, PH Heidelberg
Approved application 01JG1057, BMBF project (2009-2012)
Come on board the healthy boat - primary school
Health promotion program for primary schools
Cooperation project with the Sports Medicine and Psychometry Departments of the University of Ulm
Landesstiftung Baden-Württemberg (2009-2011)