The Digital Transformation of Teaching in Higher Education from an Academic’s Point of View: An Explorative Study

The process of digitalization challenges universities worldwide, in particular the universities’ IT. Qualitative interviews with lecturers were conducted to gather information on service requirements. The lecturers’ experiences and suggestions demonstrate that, from their perspective, an improvement of the IT infrastructure and equipment is only secondary for the digitalization of teaching at Munster University. Instead, a centralization of information, knowledge and expertise in the field of digital teaching is required. Lecturers wish for a ‘center for digitalization’ which they can contact for information and practical advice on existing IT services, for counseling on digital teaching concepts, and for support in the implementation of new digitalization ideas. From the lecturers’ point of view, the university’s perspective on digital teaching has to change as well, overcoming baseless concerns that digitalization inevitably results in an entirely virtual university. In addition, incentive systems for excellent new forms of teaching would give more value to lecturers’ efforts.