Summary

In the framework of the master's program Modern Greek Studies, one module is conducted on a cross-site basis (Hamburg, Munich, Berlin) with the aid of an online meeting tool. This inter-university cooperation combines expertise on Modern Greek Studies from different parts of Germany and allows for wider teaching possibilities as would by doable only with the teaching capacities in Berlin. The aim of the e-learning offer is to provide a modern and highly qualified study program for Modern Greek Studies in Germany. The innovative media-supported teaching and learning methods support the research tasks and the group discussion within the framework of the studies and promote the students' reflected learning process. The implementation of Adobe Connect allows for cross-site teaching and collaboration by the students on joint research questions.  

Table of contents

Course

Course title"Analysis, Editing, Transfer"
Course type

Seminar

Department/InstituteModule 4 "Analysis, Editing, Transfer" is offered in collaboration with the Modern Greek Study departments of the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich and the Universität Hamburg. It is undertaken as an electronically supported distance study course in the 2nd and 3rd semester of the master's program Modern Greek Studies.  
Degree programModern Greek Studies

Lecturers

Prof. Dr. Miltos Pechlivanos (Freie Universität Berlin)

Prof. Dr. Marilisa Mitsou (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München)

Prof. Dr. Ulrich Moennig (Universität Hamburg)

No. of participants

15-20 depending on the semester

SWS/CP

15 CP

Tools

  • Adobe Connect (video, audio, chat, document sharing, recordings)
  • LMS: course material, electronic exercises, Blackboard (Freie Universität) and OLAT (Universität Hamburg)
  • Wiki of the Berlin Modern Greek Studies department "Didactics of Modern Greek Literature History"

Realization

In the framework of the module the contents are disseminated via Adobe Connect. In addition, the LMS of the participating universities (Blackboard and OLAT) as well as the wiki "Didactics of Modern Greek Literature History" are used. The provided materials as well as electronic exercises for preparation and follow-up of the seminar sessions serve as a deepening of the knowledge that was taught and discussed in the seminar. In addition to the camera release, the chat feature is used for the written exchanges.  

The management of the module is undertaken by three alternating professors of Modern Greek Studies from the Freie Universität Berlin, the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich and the Universität Hamburg. Every lecturer has his/her own fixed online room in Adobe Connect where the course materials are provided, the tasks assigned to students and where the presentations as well as discussions take place. In the seminar on text editing, for example, photos of handwritten original sources are uploaded as an image or a pdf file. The students jointly discuss and interpret the contents of the original source. 

The module lasts two semesters. The sessions take place on a weekly basis and take two hours. The links to the online seminar rooms are posted both in the course catalog as well as on the homepage of the Modern Greek Studies department. 

Experiences made by the lecturer

  • A practical introduction to all of the tools that will be used is necessary for all participants.
  • An experienced staff member moderates the first session of every online seminar. When the lecturers have held sessions several times then they will have gathered enough experience in order to be able to self-moderate the online seminar. 
  • If there are a large number of participants, then the microphones of the listeners should be switched off in order to avoid echos. In order to moderate interactive web meetings in a performant manner, headsets are highly recommended.
  • The synchronous online sessions, supplemented by the LMS, are a practical solution for collaborative work.
  • E-learning was made an integral part of the study and examination regulations when planning the master's program.

Further information

Support offered by CeDiS

  • Consulting services for the implementation of digital solutions in teaching: The Center for Digital Systems (CeDiS) has extensive experience of many years when it comes to the implementation of digital media and systems within the fields of teaching, learning and research. We offer a wide variety of consulting services on the implementation of these tools and systems within the entire academic scope and especially at Freie Universität Berlin. 
  • Training courses and workshops: For lecturers at Freie Universität Berlin (professors, employees, tutors) as well as lecturers of other universities CeDiS offers training courses and workshops on the topic of teaching and learning with digital media. These course enable participants to implement online elements within their own sphere of teaching.
  • The Executive Board of the Freie Universität supports e-learning initiatives: With the e-learning funding program financial resources are provided to lecturers that enrich and improve their courses quality-wise by implementing technological and media-related support. All of the academic staff teaching, the lecturers or even the institutions of the Freie Universität - without the Charité-Universitätsmedizin - can be supported within this program.