Home university in times of Corona

Due to Corona, the Department of Economics at Alanus University is offering all seminars via video learning platform.

“I was totally surprised by how quickly the Department of Economics at Alanus University switched to online seminars – even in the arts.
At first I was sad because our final project is about the (last) shared experience of the group body. The discussions were sometimes much more exhausting digitally than usual, so we took long lunch breaks, which I could enjoy on the sunny terrace of my parents’ house and recharge my batteries.
Overall, I notice that I get less done per day because I lose concentration more quickly. On the other hand, during my studies I was rarely outside in the sun so much, going for walks with my parents and talking on the phone with friends and family as I am now. And on top of that, I am even voluntarily joining seminars that I probably would not otherwise have travelled to the university for, but which give me some structure, a sense of connection and new perspectives.
Sometimes during seminars I feel the need to turn off the camera and tidy my room at the same time, do yoga, eat something or walk through our small garden. They are exciting experiments through which I am learning new things about what I actually need for good learning.”
Dorothea, 5th semester, Bachelor’s degree programme in Sustainable Economics

“Of course, purely digital encounters feel a bit strange at first, and stage fright is overshadowed by the technical check: Is the webcam aligned correctly? Is the green screen well lit? Is the screen capture configured? Has the family been warned? Has the neighbour finished his craft work? Is the internet connection stable? … But by now I appreciate the strengths of the medium and look forward to being able to use the newly acquired skills and developed resources to good effect in the ‘post-Corona period’ as well.”
Prof. Lars Petersen, Chair of Production and Service Management

Students in the 4th semester are dealing with the current “studyfromhome” situation in their tandem project, an arts module within the economics degree programme. In the film, they present their project togetheralone .