The WiSo Faculty of the University of Cologne has been teaching again for a week. After having had some experience with online teaching in some places, the complete switch to digital teaching is still new for all of us. Even if not everything can run smoothly and a lot of things need to sort themselves out, we want to have a look, a first flash, at the summer semester 2020.

We spoke to Laurien Feuerborn, (3rd semester, Master Business Administration - Accounting and Taxation):

Dear Laurien, how have you managed to handle the lockdown so far? Would you have even wished for more "forced holiday" or do you think it is good that WiSo has made an effort to start as soon as possible?

Since I had been studying for an exam for some time, it was not that difficult for me to limit myself at first, but it was of course a great pity that the exams could not take place at the end of March. It never was and is “Forced holiday ” for me, since I have attended management skills online in March and also started my main seminar at the end of March. For me, it continued online, even my working student job. I never got bored and I think that is a good thing.

How did you experience online teaching in the first week?

I was very surprised that the seminar could be converted to an online format so quickly and easily. Despite a few minor technical problems at the start, everything went smoothly and we helped each other in the group, so that we all mastered the seminar well, even in this situation, which is new for all of us.

Which events did you attend online?

In mid-March I attended the Management Skills seminar. Since April 6th, I have attended to other online events , such as Taxation of companies or value-based controlling.

How does communication with the lecturers and your fellow students work? Is the flow of information sufficient, do you have opportunities for exchange?

So far it has worked well for my events. All lecturers wrote us in the past week to inform us about how their events will continue. However, you had to look a bit to keep an overview, because the information came through different channels depending on the event and the current status of the information. Communication with fellow students is a bit difficult if you don't know anyone before an event, because not all lecturers have set up a communication forum in Ilias. Without this, it is a little bit difficult to get in touch with fellow students you didn't know before.

How do you like the design of online exercises and tutorials, because at this point it is particularly important to work on tasks with your fellow students?

I haven't had any exercise or tutorial yet. In the Management Skills seminar, however, we were given tasks in small groups sometimes, which we solved together in smaller zoom meetings. It was a bit strange at first, but you get used to it.

The IT, the library service, the lecturers and many others have done a lot already and a lot will still develop. Nevertheless, the question: How do you think the online offering has worked so far? Can you easily access everything you need?

For the seminars, lectures and exercises, everything was previously uploaded to Ilias. When preparing the seminar paper for the main seminar, it is of course not that easy that the libraries are closed and that we cannot access the reference literature.

Did you use support?

No.

Do you have any suggestions for improvement?

It would be nice if there was a uniform information about the exams. I can understand that presence tests may not be able to take place as usual. For us students, however, it is important that we can take an exam this semester in order to get our credit points and not have to extend our studies. I would like, if the lecturers would offer us alternative examination formats instead. If all exam dates would be pushed to the end (follow-up exams from March, mid-term exams and the dates at the end of the semester), it will be hardly possible for us students to take all exams in the form and scope of an exam that takes place under normal conditions. In addition, some students have already signed contracts for internships in the period after the exams in July.

I would also like to have access to more online literature for theses and final papers, e.g. through additional database access.

Have you told other students/ friends who are not at the WiSo about the start of the online lectures and how did they react if necessary?

Yes I have. My friends were very impressed how quickly the changeover worked and that the semester could start on time.

Dear Laurien, Many thanks and all the best!