Thorleif Harder, research assistant at the Institute for Interactive Systems (ISy), consciously decided to do a master’s degree in media informatics in online format after completing his bachelor’s degree in information technology and design at the TH Lübeck. The central question: Start your professional life straight away or continue your qualifications? Studying online at the Lübeck University of Technology offered him the ideal solution to combine both.
Practice meets research
Thorleif Harder was already working at the ISy during his studies and worked on projects such as Digital degree programs: Analysis of success and dropout factors (DiSEA) with. The aim was to develop a dashboard that supports online students in reflecting on their learning progress and completing their studies optimally. A tool that Harder helped develop and learned through his own online studies how important it is to have good self-motivation.
Challenges and solutions in online studies
Studying online offers a lot of freedom, but also presents special requirements. After a full day of work, lectures follow in the evening – usually alone at the desk. “You really need very, very good self-motivation,” says Thorleif Harder. His tip: choose learning locations consciously and create routines, such as studying in the library or on campus, in order to concentrate specifically on your studies. “At home I would have distracted myself with activities that were more exciting than learning – YouTube, for example.”
Networked via digital platforms
Contacts are also created when studying online: students network via digital platforms such as Discord, work together on projects and support each other. “I had the advantage that I already knew the campus and people in Lübeck through my bachelor’s degree,” says Harder. Presence phases and on-site examinations offer additional opportunities to get to know each other personally – an important balance to digital teaching.
Career benefits from studying
The part-time master’s degree enabled Thorleif Harder to take the next step in his career. Today he works on two research projects. On the one hand in AI Application Centerwhere he brings artificial intelligence to small and medium-sized businesses. On the other hand, Harder is developing an intelligent learning management system in the Innovative University project. Without the master’s degree, this path would not have been possible – the position as a research assistant requires a corresponding degree.
Personal development
The online course of study has shaped Thorleif Harder not only professionally but also personally: “The self-discipline I have learned is the best thing that could have happened to me.” His conclusion: Anyone who has a genuine interest in the subject will benefit enormously from the flexibility and possibilities of part-time online studies.
The online study podcast. Fits!
Online study. Fits! is a podcast from TH Lübeck in which students tell their stories from their studies – authentic, honest, and something to imitate. The podcast is moderated by communications expert Vivian Upmann. Anyone interested can find all information about online studies at: https://www.th-luebeck.de/onlinestudium-passt/
Directly to Podcast with Thorleif Harder it’s here: https://onlinestudium-passt.podigee.io/
Find out about the application deadlines for the bachelor’s and master’s degree programs at TH Lübeck