Over the fence: Media-supported collaborative teaching and learning exemplified by diabetes prevention in an occupational setting

This article was migrated. The article was not marked as recommended. The rapid pace of digital transformation worldwide is also changing the education and science sectors. The Hamburg Open Online University (HOOU) is a multi-university development and innovation project, its comprehensive approach towards digital technologies is unique to date. The HOOU launched with a 'lean' infrastructure and early bird projects from the participating universities. Such an early bird project 'Detection and prevention of prediabetes' with the development of an online tool (app) to self-assess one's own risk of developing type 2 diabetes, including individual recommendations on risk reduction is presented here. In contrast to the usual format of simply reiterating knowledge of studied topics on written exams, this project was a very motivating experience: The students were required to train self-organisation and teamwork, and to show presentation skills in a real company, while the teachers had to guide a very heterogeneous group to success for a period of over one year. The critical assessment of scientific literature and teamwork presented an unexpectedly great challenge to the students and should better and earlier be included in the curriculum. The lecturers not only have to develop and implement an appropriate didactic concept, but also require qualification in project management and leadership.