Day of Teaching 2023

We are excited to invite you to this year’s “Day of Teaching” at the University of Münster, taking place on 27 November 2023 and to actively share your perspective of the topic of “University Teaching in Times of Social Challenges”. With this event, we not only wish to emphasise teaching as one of the central tasks of higher education, but also to generate new impulses that further the development of teaching at our university with contributions and lively discussions. It will be an opportunity to share your views on thematically related approaches, concepts and innovations in teaching. To mark the commencement of instruction at the University of Münster 250 years ago, the Day of Teaching will begin with a keynote by Prof. Dr Jürgen Overhoff on the remit of university teaching from a historical and educational perspective.

It is important to us that all participants have the opportunity to get involved – be it by presenting their own concepts or participating in the events and discussions. Therefore, we kindly ask all instructors to give their students a day off on the Day of Teaching, or better yet, invite them to participate together in the seminar group.

WHAT ARE THE THEMATIC FOCUSES?

The working group responsible for organising the event has identified five themes related to the overarching topic of “University Teaching in Times of Social Challenges” which can be explored with respect to participants’ individual disciplines on the Day of Teaching. The thematic focuses are:

1. Sustainability: The climate crisis is omnipresent and continually requires scientific classification and study. The “Sustainability Strategy” adopted by the Rectorate and Senate in 2023 addresses the challenge of integrating sustainability in all fields of activity at the University. By no means, however, can we reduce sustainability to purely environmental aspects; we must also consider a broader spectrum of themes with respect to Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). Moreover, teaching itself should be sustainably structured so that new impulses can be adopted and applied to our own teaching practice.
2. AI and digitality: When the generative AI tool ChatGPT was released, it drew widespread concern from the higher education community. We should discuss how to deal with such tools and their impact on higher education and how best to position ourselves in a digitalised world. We should also examine the opportunities and the limitations of AI in greater detail (e.g. using learning analytics).
3. Interdisciplinary approaches: University graduates are increasingly facing a working world where interdisciplinary collaboration is a given. In the context of university teaching, not only are views and perspectives beyond one’s own field enriching, they can also be interconnected more closely within the framework of teaching and studies.
4. Diversity: The last Day of Teaching in 2018 focused on the subject of diversity. Now more than ever, diversity has become even more important in daily working life and university teaching. Appreciating diversity in all its dimensions, counteracting discrimination and dismantling obstacles is both a challenge and opportunity for instructors and students alike. This Day of Teaching will offer us a chance to continue productive discourse in this area.
5. International action and activities: Due to increasing globalisation, shifts in the geopolitical landscape and wars in recent years, it has become all but impossible to avoid taking a position on international events and world figures. University teaching should prepare students for the resulting challenges and opportunities in this regard.

WHAT FORMATS ARE OFFERED?

Two session formats will be offered on the Day of Teaching: A) discussion sessions, during which participants can actively engage with experts, members of the Rectorate and fellow attendees, and B) idea sessions where participants can present their teaching concepts and innovations and network with one another. The session formats last two hours (2 x 45 minutes) and include a five-minute break. Participants can submit abstracts of either 45 or 90 minutes in length.

A) Discussion sessions: Current social challenges

In this phase, moderators conduct discussions on the six abovementioned thematic focuses. These talks between an expert and a member of the Rectorate highlight one or two aspects of the corresponding theme. This is followed by a discussion, in which instructors and students can participate.

B) Idea sessions:

In this phase, instructors – together with students – have the chance to present their teaching concepts and discuss their implementation and further development. You may choose from the following idea sessions formats:

1. B1) Workshop: This format is ideal for actively exploring innovative teaching concepts, selected methodical elements and other innovative forms.
2. B2) Idea workshop: Following a short introduction, participants pursue a problem-based, open-outcome approach in line with a workshop character. Instructors work together with students on a question or problem which they briefly introduce at the start.
3. B3) Ideas for other creative formats are welcome but should keep to the prescribed timeframe.

HOW CAN YOU PARTICIPATE?

You are cordially invited to submit your own contribution for the Day of Teaching. Simply complete and submit the corresponding form via Indico (https://wwuindico.uni-muenster.de/event/2231/abstracts/#submit-abstract) by 25 October 2023. You will receive a response at the beginning of November as to whether we can include your contribution.

• Registration for the Day of Teaching 2023