Virtual teaching of linear algebra with complex systems and artificial intelligence case studies

Abstract

Due to COVID-19, universities, higher education institutions, and schools all around the world had to shut down their on-site activities during the rst semester of the academic year 2020 and teaching had to continue in an entirely virtual setting, either asynchronously or synchronously, or in a blended learning style. Several instructors were not fully prepared to teach online and a fast adaptation to the new and unusual circumstances was needed. While this unfamiliar situation has brought technical and especially educational hurdles, instructors are currently preparing for the second semester 2020 with a new awareness, taking into account lessons learnt from the previous semester. In this abstract, we outline our instructional concept for virtually teaching a one-semester linear algebra course in the BSc program Business Information Technology at FHNW in Switzerland. Students of this study program are likely to hold management positions working at the intersection between business and IT, where it is essential to conceptually understand mathematical methods and concepts, and apply these in dynamic business projects, often involving artificial intelligence.