Since the beginning of 2022, the exploration of digital competencies has become a central component of the +dimensions project. The starting point was a small group of art school teachers who developed initial approaches to documenting and structuring relevant digital skills in higher education. These preliminary efforts served as the foundation for the +dimensions team to work with design researcher Judith Hecktor to address digital competencies in their respective fields.
Another milestone was the collaboration with the Master's program in Educational Sciences at the Technical University of Berlin (Institute of Educational Science, Department of Educational Psychology) in the years 2023/24. The focus was on the field of Visual Communication, where students and graduates were interviewed in qualitative interviews about their digital competencies.
In 2024/25, the area of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital competencies took a more prominent role. Under the leadership of Julian Netzer and Henrike Uthe, a learning path on AI in Art and Design was developed. The project relies on a participatory knowledge structure designed as an immersive experience with XR technologies. A digital knowledge space is being created, which will evolve continuously and can be used interactively. Currently, the focus is on researching AI competencies, with the long-term goal of expanding the concept to additional topics. Students, faculty, and staff of the art school are co-designing this space. In particular, for students, this offers a new learning culture where they not only consume knowledge but also actively structure and further develop it.