Effectively planning and delivering university courses involves a variety of complex tasks, such as addressing an audience of students, aligning examinations with learning objectives, and developing appropriate didactic concepts, translating theoretical approaches into practical teaching, and considering the specific characteristics of each learner group. These challenges are particularly pronounced for those new to teaching.

In response, the University of Potsdam offers in cooperation with sqb-Netzwerk Studienqualität Brandenburg a needs-based program to support new instructors and prepare them for their teaching responsibilities.  This program is grounded in fundamental knowledge of higher education didactics and policy.

The Starter Kit Teaching workshop supports instructors who are new to teaching in higher education and would like to strengthen their confidence and orientation in teaching practice. Teaching at university involves more than delivering content – it includes creating meaningful learning experiences, considering the needs of diverse learner groups, and making informed didactic decisions.

The workshop offers a practical introduction to key concepts of higher education teaching and provides space for reflection on participants’ own teaching roles and experiences. Participants will explore selected approaches and tools for planning and structuring teaching, discuss challenges commonly encountered in university contexts, and develop ideas that can be transferred directly into their own teaching practice.

Special attention will be given to questions such as: How can learning outcomes support course design? How can learning environments be structured in an engaging way? What role do communication, and cultural aspects play in teaching and learning?

Content

• Practical approaches to planning and structuring teaching sessions
• Selected instructional design models (e.g. Constructive Alignment, Didactic Reduction)
• The role and self-understanding of the instructor
• Creating motivating and engaging learning environments
• Cultural aspects in teaching and learning
• Reflection on participants’ own teaching contexts and experiences

This one-day workshop combines short inputs with practical exercises, reflection phases and peer exchange. Participants will work on central questions related to their own teaching practice and receive impulses for planning, structuring and designing university teaching.

Workshop structure

Morning session:
• Introduction and reflection on participants’ previous teaching experiences, expectations and challenges
• Reflection on the role and self-understanding of the instructor
• Planning and structuring courses and individual teaching sessions

Afternoon session:
• Aspects of learning in higher education
• Methods and practical approaches for designing teaching and learning situations
• Work on examples, including cultural and communicative aspects of teaching
• Transfer to participants’ own teaching practice and joint reflection

Preparation:
No formal preparation is required. Participants are invited to bring in their own questions, experiences or concrete teaching situations.