‘Ghost lectures’ behind closed doors: How Covid-19 changes academic teaching – an empirical study

‘Ghost lectures’ behind closed doors: How Covid-19 changes academic teaching – an empirical study

Members of the University of Zurich left their place of work and study almost overnight in spring 2020 – and met again on a digital platform. Where we used to meet friends and relatives, there were now lectures and seminars. Using exemplary video sequences from UZH teaching, we look at the special features of interaction on digital platforms – and show how new and sometimes unusual forms of interactive interaction have emerged here.

Zoom and teams are the two platforms most frequently used by UZH members. They bring their users together on “face wall” where anyone can be seen via webcam.

On this interface, we are dealing with a constellation that cannot be created without technical-medial aids.

In the context of the P sub-project “Reflection of digital teaching” (directed by Kenan Hochuli) and the completion of two doctoral theses (by MA Johanna Jud and MA Alexandra Zoller), we are investigating how communication functions under these circumstances. We analyse video sequences that shed light on how participants establish a social situation, manage question-answer sequences and increasingly develop rituals that are adapted to the technical specifics.