Think Tank VR in Teacher Education

Learning 4.0: Shaping the Future of Education with VR and AR

Virtual and Augmented Reality unlocks up a new scope of learning. Ranging from exploring far away countries to the visualization and depiction of fields of experience that are otherwise difficult to access – these new technologies are making it possible today. They open up a multitude of new opportunities in innovative learning and teaching especially in schools or in teaching education.

VR and AR technology offer completely new possibilities but they cannot be used successfully if teachers are not taught how to implement it. Using its focus on teacher training and expert subject knowledge on the topics of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality, Potsdam University establishes a Think Tank where teaching students – and therefore soon-to-be teachers – will develop relevant and immersive application concepts for VR. At Denkfabrik VR students have opportunity to face the  challenges of a digitalized education system head on, early in their studies.

We are launching our new Think Tank VR in Teacher Training together with our sponsor Friede Springer Stiftung in October 2025.

 What is the Think Tank like?

Denkfabrik VR goes beyond the confines of classic university teaching: It is conceptualized as a non-hierarchical, creative space where students can combine their potential from different academic perspectives and approaches.

Mentored by scholars/scientists and through versatile methods small groups of students will develop their own ideas and concepts to promote and integrate VR into teacher training of the future. Additionally to their regular meetings Denkfabrik students will meet:
• at a BarCamp for topic identification,
• at a mid year "Bergfest" (to celebrate the halfway point) and
• at the presentation of their results that completes a year of research at Denkfabrik.

The emphasis is the development of custom VR-applications, the development of implementation strategies for sunject teaching as well as the practical testing of existing VR-tools in everyday school life. Aside from that Denkfabrik will analyse curricular applicability, create supplemental material and conceptualize further training programs for teachers.

Denkfabrik VR will be closely mentored and cooperates with VR-experts in teacher training.

What benefits does Denkfabrik VR offer?

Not only do students at Denkfabrik VR recieve the Potsdam University Scholarship  endowed with 300€ per month for one year but they also benefit from work at Denkfabrik VR through interdisciplinary collaboration in a highly relevant, future-oriented and practical research project.

Wer kann sich bewerben?/ Who can apply?

Denkfabrik VR is aimed at teaching students for secondary education level 1 and 2 (Sekundarstufe I & II). This includes the subjects French, Spanish, Chemistry, Maths, IT and Wirschaft-Arbeit-Technik (WAT). Students of the master programs "Digitale Bildung" and Computational Science are also invited to apply.

Please note that the working language of Denkfabrik is German.

Application period starts 1st of July 2025 through University Scholarship. The answer to a topic-related question can be uploaded via the university scholarship application portal.