Teachers can teach more effectively if they understand what makes learning difficult for students. As experts in your discipline, you may have overcome such difficulties decades ago. They have developed discipline-specific, efficient patterns of thinking and acting that sometimes make it difficult for them to recognise the challenges that their discipline poses for students.

Decoding the Disciplines(http://decodingthedisciplines.org) is a process that promotes student learning by narrowing the gap between expert thinking and students' efforts to learn that thinking. The process begins with the identification of characteristic subject-related obstacles to learning (so-called bottlenecks) and attempts to decode important, but usually hidden, thought patterns of subject experts.

Decoding the Disciplines is also a process of interdisciplinary and collegial collaboration. This is particularly important when decoding discipline-specific patterns of thought and action: teachers are interviewed by teachers from another discipline, who use suitable questions to help them describe discipline-specific thinking and action in such a way that it can be communicated more effectively to students.

The starting point for the exchange is providedby

Prof. Dr. Peter Riegler, who studied physics and has been Professor of Mathematics at Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences since 2002, where he also founded the Centre for Successful Teaching and Learning. Mr Riegler also heads the "Decoding the Disciplines" working group at DIZ Bayern. In October 2019, the Stifterverband awarded him theArs legendi-prize for excellent university teaching, which this year has the motto "Teaching as a scientific activity".

Prof Dr Ingrid Scharlau, Professor of Cognitive Psychology at Paderborn University since 2007. She is the founder and head of the Writing Competence Centre. During a three-year leave of absence to a professorship at the University of Lüneburg, Ms Scharlau worked on issues of college education and liberal arts education as well as writing didactics. Her current focus is in the fields of attention research, writing didactics, mentoring and subject-sensitive university didactics.

When: 21 January 2020, 14:30-17:30

Where: E5 .333

After the event there will be a joint snack and time for further exchange.

Registration with Dr Nerea Vöing, nerea.voeing(at)upb(dot)de, -3332.

What is the university for? Depending on the target or status group, the emphasis here varies greatly: excellent results and reputation through research, academic qualification, (further) education through science (from the largest possible number of graduates), employability, third mission...

Some of the aspects mentioned apply equally to university teaching, but it is not unaffected by the others.

How are these diverse requirements reflected in the organisation of studies and teaching at different levels? What educational goals are being pursued and how do they shape the didactic and methodological setting of curricula and courses? What does 'competence orientation' mean and how is it implemented in practice? What development processes should be initiated on the students' side and what responsibilities arise on the part of the university teachers?

These and other questions will be discussed as part of the exchange format "University teachers in dialogue". The following impulses provide the starting point for the discussion:

Prof Dr Niclas Schaper: "Competence orientation: didactic fashion or challenge for a common understanding of teaching and curriculum."

Prof. Dr Dr Oliver Reis: "No competence development without a relationship - the importance of reciprocity for competence development."

Prof. Dr Tobias Jenert: "Action references and responsibility issues in the context of competence-oriented teacher training"

When: 19 June 2019, 16:00-18:30

Where: B 3.231

There will be drinks and a small snack.

Registration with Dr Nerea Vöing, nerea.voeing(at)upb(dot)de, -3332.

In April, the Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft once again called for proposals for fellowships for innovations in (digital) university teaching (availablehereandhere). But what does a fellowship actually entail? And how do you submit a successful application?

Several teachers at Paderborn University have already been honoured as Fellows. You can learn from the experiences of these colleagues at this event. Come and talk to them, get to know the fellowship from an internal perspective, ask your questions and exchange ideas for applications.

The initiators are:

Dr Marc Sacher (Department of Physics): Fellowship for Innovations in Digital University Teaching 2018 and Fellowship for Innovations in University Teaching 2013

Prof Dr Rebekka Schmidt (Institute of Art / Music / Textiles): Fellowship for Innovations in Digital University Teaching 2016

Dr Anica Rose (Dec. 3.1)

When : Wednesday, 15 May 2019, 14:15-16:00

Where: B3.231

There will be coffee/tea and a small snack.

Registration with Dr. Nerea Vöing, nerea.voeing@upb.de,-3332.

In mid-March, the Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft once again called for proposals for fellowships for innovations in (digital) university teaching (available here and here). But what does a fellowship actually entail? And how do you submit a successful application?

A number of teachers at Paderborn University have already been honoured as Fellows. You can learn from the experiences of these colleagues at this event. Come and talk to them, get to know the fellowship from an inside perspective and clarify any questions you may have about this and similar funding programmes for teaching, such as the Ars legendi Prize for Excellent University Teaching.

The initiators are:

Prof Dr Ruth Hagengruber (Institute of Human Sciences - subject area Philosophy): Fellowship for Innovation in Digital University Teaching 2016

Prof Dr Uta Häsel-Weide (Institute of Mathematics): Tandem Fellowship for Innovations in University Teaching 2017

Dr Thomas John (Information Systems): Fellowship for Innovations in Digital University Teaching 2017

Prof Dr Ilka Mindt (Institute of English and American Studies): Fellowship for innovations in digital university teaching 2017

Prof Dr Oliver Reis (Institute of Catholic Theology): Tandem Fellowship for Innovations in University Teaching 2016

Prof Dr Rebekka Schmidt (Institute of Art / Music / Textiles): Fellowship for innovations in digital university teaching 2016

Prof Dr Niclas Schaper (Psychology): Member of the jury for the award of the Ars legendi prize

Dr Anica Rose (Dec. 3.1)

When : Thursday, 3 May 2018, 16:00-18:00

Where: B3.231 (Senate meeting room)

There will be coffee/tea and a small snack.

Registration with Nerea Vöing, nerea.voeing@upb.de,-3332.