When it comes to higher learning, Germany’s best universities don’t just teach you a few books and ideas. They strive to transform students’ lives and give them the tools to create a better world. And thanks to the pandemic, they have the opportunity to do so on a massive scale.
For years, the German universities have been producing talent for the country and beyond. The likes of Martin Luther King, Kurt Lewin, Albert Einstein, and Ludwig van Beethoven all studied at one of the country’s most esteemed universities. Now, with the world shifting to a digital sphere, this legacy is being manifested in truly incredible ways.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the pandemic is how new universities have popped up across the globe, creating an opportunity for those with a big dream and some academic background to make it happen. One of these universities is the Berlin Institute of Technology (Technische Hochschule Berlin or THB), the oldest polytechnic university in Germany. It was founded in 1843 and quickly became Germany’s most prestigious technological university. The reputation of the university and its faculty is such that it currently boasts an acceptance rate of just 2%. Not bad for a university that used to only admit students from the best German high schools.
What sets THB apart from other German universities is that it now offers degree courses entirely online. It is one of the most progressive universities in regards to education and employment opportunities for its students. The pandemic gave birth to a new generation of talented and motivated students who, armed with an online degree, are now in a better position to climb the corporate ladder.
This trend of universities developing online courses is being mirrored across the globe. In the UK, for example, the Open University offers a massive selection of degree courses online, allowing those who cannot physically attend university to gain the education they need.
Why Are Universities Embracing Online Learning?
In the modern world, students enjoy a far more individualized and flexible approach to learning. Thanks to technology, they can now access courses and degrees from the comfort of home. This, combined with the financial opportunities presented by the pandemic, has seen a rise in interest in online learning. The most prestigious universities in Germany are now taking advantage of these developments, experimenting with new ways of delivering academic content.
The traditional approach of university education was, for the most part, lecture-based. Students would listen to a long list of facts and figures that might not even be relevant to their lives. They would then be tested on what they had learned. Thanks to increased access to information via the internet and mobile phones, along with the development of MOOC platforms (Massive Open Online Courses), this approach is now seen as outdated. With the world changing so rapidly, people want to learn what they need for success in today’s world. This means courses are now tailored to fit the needs of individual students, opening up a world of opportunity for those who complete them.
What Does a Pandemic-Branded University Look Like?
Those who study at a German university during the pandemic will notice many changes. On the physical side, there will be a lack of face-to-face interactions, and no lectures will be held. Instead, everything will be done online. This will transform how society functions as we know it. In terms of the students’ experience, they will be provided with high-quality teaching and learning resources. There will also be an increased focus on employability and digital transformation, as well as access to global thinkers and experts via courses and specializations.
The Impact of the Pandemic on Higher Education
The effect of the pandemic on higher education was immediate and profound. Not only did lectures cease to exist, but entire degree courses were suddenly made available online. Universities across the world opened their doors to provide students with online learning environments and to innovate the way they teach and assess their students. Thanks to technology, those who were looking to further their education could do so from home. This, in turn, has had a positive effect on the economy, as the demand for online tutors and virtual classrooms increased. Universities have responded to this increased demand by increasing the number of online courses they offer.
Online Education: The Future of Higher Learning?
Those who study at a German university during the pandemic will notice many changes. On the physical side, there will be a lack of face-to-face interactions, and no lectures will be held. Instead, everything will be done online. This will transform how society functions as we know it. In terms of the students’ experience, they will be provided with high-quality teaching and learning resources. There will also be an increased focus on employability and digital transformation, as well as access to global thinkers and experts via courses and specializations.
The impact of the pandemic on higher education was immediate and profound. Not only did lectures cease to exist, but entire degree courses were suddenly made available online. Universities across the world opened their doors to provide students with online learning environments and to innovate the way they teach and assess their students. Thanks to technology, those who were looking to further their education could do so from home. This, in turn, has had a positive effect on the economy, as the demand for online tutors and virtual classrooms increased. Universities have responded to this increased demand by increasing the number of online courses they offer.
Those who study in Germany will notice that their universities have changed. Rather than holding lectures and discussing information, students will learn via highly interactive and engaging teaching materials. This will, in turn, have a positive effect on their education and ability to succeed in the future.