Nowadays, digitalisation affects all areas of life, work and the world of work. Anyone who wants to actively participate in this social and technological development needs digital skills and knowledge. It is a matter of understanding the mechanisms and rules of the digital world and acquiring them in a pro-ductive and responsible way. The respective answer to the question about the present and future possibilities of teaching and learning with digital media has been shaped in recent years especially by the new technical developments and possibilities of the internet as well as mobile devices (e.g. portable devices, social web, digital 3D worlds, digital games, serious gaming). In the context of this development, digital learning worlds are emerging. Digital teaching aids of teachers as well as student work and the taking of the Matura in digitalised form are increasing. The task of education at the Federal Colleges of Agriculture and Forestry (HBLA) is to create framework conditions for students so that they can perceive, use and actively shape the opportunities of digitalisation. This includes not only the teaching of information technology knowledge and the use of digital media in lessons, but also the critical and emancipatory handling of digital content as well as the professional application.
The aim of the study is to record the status of digitisation at the HBLAs as well as the need for action for future orientation from the students' point of view. The following research questions arise: What digital media are the HBLAs equipped with? How are they used in the learning process? How relevant are they as knowledge objects for the students? How does digitalisation affect teaching and the role of the teacher? Which fields of action can be named in which there is potential for development for the HBLA in view of the digital opportunities and challenges?
The possibilities for shaping the digital world of tomorrow are closely linked to how we prepare the students in the HBLA today or what is made possible for them. In view of digitalisation, the question of how teaching and learning with digital media is practised at HBLAs or can be anchored even better is currently coming even more to the fore. Little is known about the status of digitalisation at the HBLA, e.g. equipment density with digital media and frequency of use of digital media in lessons. There is a need for clearly formulated goals and a common content orientation of digital media in education and vocational application. The direction and framework of the BMNT are set out in the Master Plan for Rural Areas.
The activities of the Federal Agency within the framework of the project include the implementation of the survey, the statistical evaluation and the preparation of a report. Further tasks are the publication of the results in specialised media and the dissemination of the results at scientific events. The definition of the basic terms and the questionnaire will be developed under the coordination of the Department Pres. 4 in cooperation with the University of Agricultural and Environmental Education and the HBLA. The project will be carried out in close cooperation with the Department of Pres. 4, schools, centres for teaching and research of the BMNT and the HBLA.
Project start: January 2018
End of project: December 2018
