A QR code and the invitation to "Scan Me" on the cover of the programme booklet make it clear that digitalization is also present in print products. Rapid technological developments are currently changing the way we inform ourselves, how we learn, how we work, how we consume - in short: how we live.
The Schiller-vhs is taking this as an opportunity to focus on the topic of "Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence" in the spring/summer semester 2020. Around 60 courses and events are on offer for the semester theme. District Administrator Dietmar Allgaier highlights two particular highlights: Ranga Yogeshwar's lecture "Man and machine - who programs whom?" on 13 March at the K in Kornwestheim and the live hacking event "Die Hacker kommen" on 5 May at the Kronenzentrum Bietigheim.
Ranga Yogeshwar is one of Germany's leading science journalists. The physicist and author of several books has developed and presented numerous TV programs, including "Kopfball" (ARD), "Quarks&Co" (WDR) and "Die große Show der Naturwunder" (ARD). Exclusively for the Schiller-vhs, Ranga Yogeshwar will shed light on the topic of "Artificial Intelligence". What developments in the field of "digitalization and artificial intelligence" can we expect in the next ten years? What will happen when algorithms are more effective than humans? To what extent can we trust new intelligent systems? At the "The hackers are coming" event, the speakers will present classic attacks in the form of live hacking in front of an audience, playing the roles of perpetrator and victim. They will show how easy it is to spy on sensitive data. At the same time, recommendations are given on how to avoid such damage. An inexpensive combined ticket is available for both events focusing on digitalization and artificial intelligence.
China is a global player in the field of digitalization and big data. With "China's Power", the Marbach Forum Zeitgeschehen on March 12 and 13 is dedicated to a hotly debated topic. At the opening event, which will take place on 2 March, Prof. Dr. Thomas Heberer will outline "China's path to becoming a world power". Following the expert lectures, participants are invited to a Q&A session and discussion with the speakers.
The overall vhs program covers an extensive range of educational activities in 36 towns and communities in the Ludwigsburg district. The program is supplemented by excursions and day trips as well as study tours. Two educational trips lead to Bergamo, the partner region of the Ludwigsburg district. The theme of the study trip to Leipzig is "Leipzig rich in experiences - past, present, future". In the "vhs unterwegs" section, the day trips to Frankfurt, Worms, Würzburg, Speyer and Augsburg will provide an insight into the history of the cities. New to the
The day trip to Nuremberg and the trip to Künzelsau with a logistics tour at Adolf Würth GmbH are new to the program. The "look behind the scenes" at companies in the region is very popular: this semester, the "AnNa unverpackt Kaufladen" in Besigheim, Alfred Kärcher GmbH in Winnenden, Bioland Gärtnerei Natterer in Vaihingen/Enz and SUEZ, Europe's most modern sorting plant for lightweight packaging in Ölbronn-Dürrn, will be opening their doors to vhs participants.
The "vhs Law" series is a new addition to the general education section. This provides knowledge in the areas of employment law, association law and voluntary work as well as tenancy law and basic knowledge for homeowners.
At first glance, the Schiller-vhs offers something unusual in the fields of nature and the environment as well as technology: a course in fly fishing and several modules on the safe use of chainsaws.
The culture and design department offers around 260 courses and events. Three online courses are offered in the area of literature for the semester focus on digitalization: "The Haiku", "Short Stories" and "Creative Writing". There are new line dancing courses in Bietigheim, Murr and Schwieberdingen. Collaborations with the Taube bookshop in Marbach, the Bietigheim Municipal Gallery, the Museum im Kleihues-Bau in Kornwestheim and the music school in Bietigheim Castle round off the varied program.
In the health department, numerous cooking courses on local, European and international cuisine are on the menu. As vegetarian and vegan diets are becoming increasingly popular, several cooking courses will be held in the coming semester.
The area of gymnastics and exercise is well represented as usual with almost 230 courses. The program ranges from aqua fitness, Pilates and self-defense to spinal gymnastics and Zumba. Special offers such as trampoline workshops, juggling courses and archery through to "Bokken - traditional swordsmanship in today's world" enrich the program. Participants can find out how their own health can be improved with digital support at the "Fitness trackers and co." information evening.
The language courses on offer range from A to Z. New beginners' courses in Arabic, Chinese, English, Japanese, Croatian, Latin, Dutch, Portuguese, Slovakian and Hungarian start in February. In addition to the traditional weekly language courses, there are exciting special formats, such as the "Quick Stop" (individual English evenings for participants with little time), "Walk and Talk" (hiking with English conversation), the English regulars' table "vhs English Club" and - new - the equivalent in Portuguese "vhs Clube de Portugues".
In the IT and vocational training department, the spectrum ranges from PC beginners' courses and "Fit for the office" training to the range of "MS Office" applications and professional image processing, various programming
professional image processing, various programming courses, web design and desktop publishing. As part of the semester focus on "Digitalization", the range of courses on the topic of "Social Media" is being expanded. The "Xpert Business" face-to-face courses are supplemented by "Xpert Business" webinars. Participants can get to know new technologies and try them out under expert guidance at the "Fascination of 3D printing" and "Virtual reality" workshops and at an entire "e-sports weekend" including a tournament in Marbach.
Basic education and literacy is the newest subject area at the Schiller-vhs. It addresses a "taboo subject": 6.2 million people with German as their mother tongue cannot read and write properly. The Schiller-vhs wants to raise awareness of this issue. In addition to the reading and writing courses for those affected, there are also offers for those working in an advisory capacity on the topic of "Sharpening your focus - how can you recognize people with reading and writing problems?"
Information on all vhs events can be obtained from the Schiller-vhs staff on 07141 144-2666. Registration is now possible by telephone, online at www.schiller-vhs.de, by email to info[at]schiller-vhs.de or in writing using a registration card.
