Barriers in Times of Digital Teaching and Learning – a German Case Study: Challenges and Recommendations for Action

The Covid-19 pandemic has raised significant challenges for universities. Digital inclusion “of all learners regardless of their circumstances, learning prerequisites and needs” is a major challenge (Walgenbach, Compes & Lambrich 2019: 9, authors’ translation). Starting with accessibility related concepts such as digital divide, we intend to create wider view barriers in the context teaching learning. Barriers online environments also arise people who have previously studied without any (e.g. technical equipment missing, lack skills). New been added, others mitigated. For example, compatibility family work improved part through asynchronous formats (Knoblich 2020; Hassel 2020). should enable students expand study opportunities flexibility, not limit them (Traus et al. This article addresses these other by quantitatively surveying lecturers at RheinMain University Applied Sciences about “Corona Semester”. As results show, barrier rarely comes alone – face one semester others. provides initial strategies dealing new barriers. Our findings point low-barrier design financial or support measures. We conclude pointing out that establishment culture openness important if are every student process best possible way (digital) participation