Reason for the teaching project
- First assignment in the module "Sustainability in Industrial Chemistry" at the Faculty of Chemistry 01, then extension to other modules/faculties.
- Preparation for the module exam, in which master students have to create their own sustainability concepts and scientific posters on the concept in interdisciplinary groups.
- Beginners:in are expected to collaborate creatively and productively on the topic of sustainability and apply entrepreneurial thinking. The assignment is new.
Objectives
- Students will be able to apply the foundation courses of sustainable chemical and biological product and process development to a concept development.
- Students will be able to work in an interdisciplinary team, apply creative and entrepreneurial thinking.
Concept and solutions of the teaching project
- SusCase- digital business plan game for sustainability.
- Semester-long activity in the business plan game on Moodle
What should be further or newly developed and how?
- Thebusiness game is to be redeveloped, initially with Case 1 "Sustainable detergent".
- In the further course, networking with other faculties is planned.
Advantages of the teaching project
For own teaching education: What is the added value for students compared to the previous course or examination?
- Practice character of the business plan game SusCase: Practice before concept development.
- Scenario-based learning deepens course content, group dynamics are positive.
- Sustainable modular structure: New practical business cases over the years; updating and adapting -> each cohort benefits from the previous one.
For teaching education at HSNR: How can your teaching project idea be transferred to other courses in the Faculty or in the university?
- Due to its modular structure, SusCase is adaptable to other modules in which sustainability plays a role. Cross-departmental development and networking planned (CoLeNi).
- Moodle space will be opened to other HSNR lecturers and learners.
Project Steps
Current Status
- Moodle platform: course structure is created (WS 2021/22).
- Business game with 10 steps is developed (WS 2021/22).
- Assignments and technical information for individual Steps are provided (WS 2021/22).
- Sustainability evaluation (criteria and evaluation points) is defined (WS 2021/22).
- Business game played in Le/Ni project team and feedback on it obtained (iterative approach) (WS 2021/22).
- Consultation with media didactician (Pia Annas) (WS 2021/22 - SoSe 2022).
- "Roadmap" for game sequences is developed (SoSe 2022).
- Defined in Moodle: start date, dates for submission of assignments (SoSe 2022).
- Simulation game played with students (summer semester 2022).
- Evaluation and feedback (summer term 2022).
- Optimize simulation game and present it to interested colleagues (to do).
Methods and media
- Development of a digital business plan game for sustainability (SusCase):
- initially with Case 1 "Sustainable detergent".
- Moodle as online learning space:
- Business game
- additional technical information
- discussion forum and chat
- Business game as an action-oriented teaching education method
- cooperative learning in the group
- Promotion of communicative and planning skills
- Demonstration of possibilities for action in order to promote sustainability
Evaluation
- What skills and knowledge do the students have before and after the course?
- Impact evaluation of the simulation game
- Evaluation forms adapted to the simulation game (course evaluation)
- Feedback rounds
- Checking knowledge gain (discussions, examination)
Stumbling blocks
Time required for the business game was too high.
Solution: set a tight time limit per step in 2023 (max. 90 min.)
Orientation in the business game only gradually in the course of the semester
Solution: solved via additional info by mail, better:
- Introductory workshop in 2023
- Use eTutor:in a more targeted way
Crediting of the results? What does the "sustainability score" do for the examination?
Solution: sustainability score calculated as bonus points for the written examination (e.g. 80% = 8 points; max. 10 points bonus)
Time required for the simulation game was too high (weekly feedback)
Solution: use feedback templates and text modules from 2022 in next round 2023
High time expenditure for the game development
Solution: Modular structure of the game in 10 steps, basic framework also stands for further "cases", after first run only updating of individual steps necessary
Recommendations
- Introductory workshop for the simulation game helps students with orientation
- Set tight time constraints for individual steps, otherwise "dispersal" is possible.
- If possible, hire eTutors to help supervise the groups.
- Allocate at least one hour per week for written feedback to the groups.
- Create feedback templates and text modules for the future
- Result of the business game = sustainability score, to be credited towards the examination.
Participants
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Uta Bergstedt
Prof. Dr. Andreas Roppertz
Prof. Dr. Andrea Wanninger (project leader)
