Shaping the future: Brandenburg’s universities promote digital skills

Shaping the future: Brandenburg’s universities promote digital skills

The Brandenburg universities have launched an innovative continuing education program known as “WandelBAR”. This program is aimed at teachers and consultants and offers practical and flexible further training around the so-called future skills. These skills include teamwork and reflection skills, AI skills as well as innovation and design skills. According to the Brandenburg Technical University of Cottbus-Senftenberg, which provides information about this offer, the focus is on practical implementation so that participants can integrate what they have learned directly into their everyday work. The first step in the program is the basic module “Future Skills Basic Compass Part 1”, after which participants can individually choose their learning paths.

In addition, training courses that have already been attended, both internal and external, are recognized, which gives participants greater flexibility in organizing their further training. After 30 work units have been completed, each participant receives their first microcredential, which documents the increase in competence. Participation in the program is free of charge and all Brandenburg universities are invited to send their teachers and advisors. The entire project is accompanied by a digital learning environment that supports exchange and learning. Those interested can find further information and registration options on the project website.

Future mission education

Another important aspect that must be considered in the context of training future skills is the “future mission education”. This community initiative, supported by the Stifterverband and its partners, aims to fundamentally improve the education system. The initiative particularly focuses on the serious changes in society caused by digitalization and artificial intelligence. The current approach to education does not provide sufficient opportunities to provide the necessary skills needed for the future.

To close this gap, the Alliance for Future Skills will be launched in October 2024. This alliance aims to increase the proportion of universities that integrate AI competencies and future skills into their educational offerings. Those interested have the opportunity to actively participate in one of four thematic task forces, to contribute to the “Future Skills in the World of Work” forum and thus to actively participate in shaping future education.

Recommendations for integrating digital learning offerings

In order to help teachers at schools, universities and in further vocational training to integrate digital Future Skills learning opportunities, a comprehensive guide will be published in October 2024. This guide is aimed at teachers and offers practical recommendations for selecting and integrating learning offerings. The importance of future skills is becoming ever greater in a constantly changing and digitalized world, and the guide will provide recommendations as well as technical and didactic advice to optimally integrate the learning materials.

The guide also contains a checklist for selecting learning opportunities as well as examples of good practices from various educational areas. The overarching goal is to enrich lessons with innovative methods and to specifically promote the future skills of the learners. These developments are an essential part of the comprehensive approach that contributes to the transformation of the education system.