ILIAS is an eLearning platform (learning management system) that was developed as an open source project at the University of Cologne in 1997. This online-based learning environment can support learning and teaching in the areas of organisation, communication, assessment and the provision of teaching and learning materials.

ILIAS has been used at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences since the winter semester 2008/2009. Responsible for the continuous optimisation of the learning platform and its numerous possibilities is the e-Team (eLearning team) at the FHN. Sebastian Ziegler, Stefanie Schettler-Schlag and Kerstin Norda are primarily dedicated to the conception and implementation of blended learning programmes, i.e. the combination of classroom teaching with eLearning elements.

A particularly important and innovative tool in the field of eLearning (online learning) at Nordhausen UAS is the "Big Blue Button" - a free and easy-to-use option for holding video conferences, uploading live documents and presenting them to other conference participants, as well as working on content together.

To ensure that this useful software also works with future versions of ILIAS and that teachers and students can benefit from this option, Sebastian Ziegler has developed a software element himself.

Some employees of the Centre for Multimedia Learning at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg expressed an interest in the video conferencing system. It quickly became clear that the best way to explain the solution was with the solution. The interested parties recently met with the e-team in a virtual conference room to discuss the advantages, possibilities and requirements of the "Big Blue Button".

"For example, we discussed technical details such as the range of functions, user-friendliness and system stability and exchanged experiences. Later on, we also discussed how many participants could take part in uninterrupted webinars," reports Sebastian Ziegler. He is convinced that in our digital world and especially in the field of e-learning, video conferencing is an excellent tool for exchanging ideas with other people around the world "face to face".

In autumn, the e-team will demonstrate the "Big Blue Button" live to FHN lecturers and invite them to try it out together.