Modern digital Education instead of endless Screen Time

Since the 2023/24 school year, we have been certified as a “Digital School” and have continuously expanded and further developed our digital approach across all areas of school life. From the very beginning, our goal has been not to view digital education merely as a technical topic, but as an integral part of our learning culture, our teaching, and our school community.

Teaching and Digital Education in Everyday School Life

Digital education at our school begins already in primary school and continues systematically throughout all grade levels. With the introduction of the subject “Computer Skills” in grades 3 to 6, students receive weekly lessons focused on fundamental digital competencies and the safe and responsible use of digital tools.

In secondary school, subject curricula have been expanded purposefully: In grade 7, students work in the field of “Digital Art” during art lessons using programs such as Krita and Digital Photography tools. In grade 8, all students participate in the mandatory “Medienhelden” program, which promotes awareness of responsible digital media use. In grade 9, students engage intensively with the topic of “Fake News.”

In addition, numerous permanent projects and prevention programs have been established, including data protection and internet safety in grade 5, cyberbullying prevention as part of the Fairplayer program, “Living in a Media World” in the subject WAT in grade 8, and lessons focusing on media, advertising, gender stereotypes, and digital role models across different grade levels. These initiatives are complemented by a dedicated project day in grade 7 on “Misogyny and Sexual Stereotypes in Digital Media.”

Starting in grade 11, we also offer Computer Science as a core subject in upper secondary school.

Conscious and Responsible Use of Digital Media

Despite our strong digital focus, we deliberately maintain a phone-free environment on our main campus. The use of private mobile phones, smartwatches, and other personal digital devices is generally prohibited.

We have therefore always consistently implemented the policy of banning mobile phones in schools – an issue that is currently the subject of intense political and social debate. Our aim is to promote digital competencies in a meaningful and educationally appropriate way while at the same time protecting concentration, social interaction, and a distraction-free learning environment. For us, digital education does not mean permanent screen use, but rather a reflective, responsible, and age-appropriate approach to digital media.

Digital Learning Formats and Classroom Practice

Digital tools are firmly integrated into classroom teaching. Starting in grade 11, MS Teams is used to provide structured learning content whenever in-person teaching cannot take place, ensuring continuity in the learning process.

With the introduction of Digital Art in upper secondary school as well as the increasing use of tools such as Canva and Excel in teaching and teacher training, digital work is becoming more creative, interdisciplinary, and practice-oriented.

Digital Projects and Partnerships

One central component of our digital development is our participation in the World Robot Olympiad (WRO). Our students successfully qualify for the German national finals every year. Participation in the WRO particularly strengthens problem-solving skills, teamwork, and technical understanding.

In addition, we continue to expand our external partnerships. In cooperation with Amazon Web Services (AWS), teachers are currently testing an interactive AI learning platform for teenagers and actively providing feedback for its further development. Looking ahead, we are planning to work together with AWS on the development of a “Digital Literacy Tool” aimed at strengthening students’ digital competencies even further.

Through partnerships such as Tech4Girls, students also benefit from programs like “Create Your Own Website” and “Gaming for Girls,” which are designed especially to encourage girls’ engagement with digital technologies.

Infrastructure and Equipment

Over the past years, we have significantly expanded our technical infrastructure and digital equipment. Our new upper secondary building includes modern learning spaces, Active Panels, and stable Wi-Fi throughout the entire building.

Our computer labs have also been expanded: one existing lab was upgraded to 26 workstations and equipped with new desktop PCs, while an additional fully equipped computer lab was newly established. Furthermore, 10 Surface cases with a total of 124 mobile devices are available for flexible classroom use.

To further support digital teaching, a classroom management software solution is currently being introduced for both computer labs. This software allows teachers to monitor and guide students’ activities during digital lessons in a structured and supportive way.

A special highlight is the integration of sustainable technology: the solar panel system on the roof of the upper secondary building can be digitally controlled and monitored via app and will soon be visualized on a display screen inside the school building.

Digital Professional Development

The continuous professional development of our teachers is a key element of our digital strategy. During regular team development days, teachers participate in hands-on workshops on topics such as artificial intelligence in education, digital tools like Canva and Excel, and the creation of simple AI applications without coding in cooperation with AWS.

This ensures that digital competencies are not developed only selectively, but are sustainably embedded throughout the teaching staff.

Cooperation with Parents and the School Community

Parent involvement in the area of digital education has also been significantly expanded. Regular parent evenings on digital media use are held for grades 7 to 9. In addition, annual webinars with external experts and a parent working group focusing on growing up with digital media are offered.

Conclusion

Overall, our development as a “Digital School” is not a finished project, but an ongoing process. Through the close integration of teaching, infrastructure, partnerships, teacher training, and parent involvement, we are creating a learning environment in which digital education is embedded holistically, sustainably, and with a strong focus on the future.