Since the winter semester (WS) 2016/17, the established and technically sophisticated teaching concept of technical mechanics at the Chair of Numerical and Experimental Solid Mechanics has been continuously expanded with digital components in order to improve the understanding of the content and increase the attractiveness of the course. These goals were achieved with a combination of classroom teaching and additional digital offerings.

The complete transition to online teaching in winter semester 2020/21 and the parallel provision of face-to-face and online courses in the following semesters led to an increase in failure rates.

Two theses can thus be derived from the experiences of the years 2020 to 2023: On the one hand, online or hybrid teaching in undergraduate studies will lose students, especially from the midfield, and on the other hand, open-ended online courses will promote high-performing students and overburden those with difficulties.