The Würmtaler Volkshochschule is starting the coming semester with a little fewer courses than usual and a number of online events, but still with a wide range of options.
There is an innovation in the program booklets.
Würmtal - The shutdown in spring and the general exceptional corona situation since then has also presented the Würmtaler Volkshochschule (Vhs) with major challenges.
“But we got through better than expected at the beginning - and better than other adult education centers.
We were able to switch 103 courses to online, although of course nothing had been prepared, ”reported Vhs managing director Veronika Wagner at the presentation of the new program on Friday.
In addition to lectures, there were also language courses, yoga and an event from the Gesundes Würmtal series on the corona virus online.
“Many participants and lecturers reacted with great understanding.
Older people have also often come to terms with technology like Zoom, not just younger people, ”says Wagner.
In contrast to many other adult education centers, no one was sent on short-time work at Vhs Würmtal.
Nevertheless, 454 courses had to be canceled, which resulted in major economic losses.
More precise figures have not yet been calculated.
After the shutdown, the Vhs was able to offer many events such as guided tours in the open air and Nordic walking again in the summer and especially during the holiday season in August.
Some courses will not take place in the coming autumn and winter semester.
Couple dancing is not possible due to the need to keep your distance.
There are no corresponding rooms for other courses, as old people's homes, for example, are currently not allowed to be occupied by the Vhs.
With 719 events, however, the offer is only around 100 courses less than normal.
87 courses from all areas are offered online from the start.
“We have had very good experiences with the online offers.
For working people, for example, this is more practical if they don't have to go somewhere after work, but can quickly get on the PC online, ”explains Karola Albrecht.
165 other courses are marked as so-called "switch courses".
This means that they are initially planned as present-tense courses on site.
"Should there be a second shutdown or other restrictions, the participants automatically agree that the courses take place online," explains Veronika Wagner.
Due to the distance rules, the groups for language courses are significantly smaller than normal, which is why the participation fee is higher for the semester.
The range of courses includes the usual areas such as “People and the Environment”, “Art and Culture” and “Young Vhs”.
In addition to offers on the current situation such as tenancy law in Corona times and the use of platforms such as Zoom, there are also five "web talks" with the five mayors of Würmtal as a novelty.
What is also new is that the program is no longer distributed to all households, but is available in many shops and "Vhs boxes" in all communities - for example at libraries, savings banks, bakeries, town halls, banks and stationery shops.
Wagner: "We wanted to reduce production costs and also contribute to sustainability."
Peter Seybold