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New Vice Rector Rietz: Digitalization as the key to the future of teaching!
Professor Dr. Christian Rietz was elected as the new vice-rector of PH Heidelberg to promote studies, teaching and digitalization.
New Vice Rector Rietz: Digitalization as the key to the future of teaching!
On June 25, 2025, the Senate of the Heidelberg University of Education appointed Professor Dr. Christian Rietz elected as the new Prorector for Studies and Teaching. Rietz, who will begin his three-year term in October 2025, will also take over the important area of digitalization at the university. He succeeds Professor Dr. Karl-Heinz Dammer, who is retiring. The election was made at the suggestion of the Rector, Professor Dr. Karin Vach, who emphasizes the importance of linking studies, teaching and digitalization.
Vach highlighted Rietz's expertise in the areas of digital transformation and artificial intelligence. These are particularly relevant because the German school barometer shows that many teachers are unsure about using AI tools. The next School Barometer survey, which will be published in early summer 2025, will also deal with participation and democracy education in schools as well as the use of artificial intelligence. This is a key concern when it comes to preparing the current generation of teachers for the challenges of digital transformation.
Background and qualifications
Christian Rietz has extensive experience in organizational development and has held several management positions, including as course director and dean of the Faculty of Education and Social Sciences. He studied psychology at the University of Bonn and was active at the LMU Munich and the TU Berlin, where he received his doctorate. Before he was appointed to the Heidelberg University of Education in 2017, Rietz held other positions in Bonn, Stuttgart and Cologne.
Rietz also heads the “Research Methods Service Center” and the master’s program in “Educational Sciences” at the university. He was elected dean of studies in October 2019, and a year later he was elected dean. Vach thanks the outgoing Vice Rector Dammer for his commitment to training responsible people.
Current challenges in schools
The Digitalization in the education system does not come without challenges. Studies show that teachers are often overwhelmed and suffer from emotional exhaustion. The majority of them see an urgent need for action in integrating new technologies in teaching.
- Im April 2024 sah jede zweite Lehrkraft Probleme mit psychischer oder physischer Gewalt unter den Schülern.
- Über ein Drittel der Lehrkräfte fühlt sich emotional erschöpft.
- Lehrkräfte nehmen verstärkt Anzeichen von Kinderarmut wahr und sind besorgt über die Kompetenzen der Schüler in Bezug auf digitale Technologien wie ChatGPT.
The introduction of artificial intelligence could significantly reduce the burden on teachers, for example when evaluating student performance or creating individual support suggestions. However, implementation often falls short of expectations because many teachers are not adequately prepared for digital tools.
As Professor Julia Knopf from Saarland University emphasizes, it is crucial that digitalization is seen as a support and not as an additional burden. Clear political support, continuous evaluation of measures and flexible training offers are essential in order to successfully overcome the challenges in the education system and at the same time give teachers the necessary time to face the new challenges.