Virtual Co-Learning Platform for Tausche Bildung für Wohnen

Tausche Bildung für Wohnen is a non-profit organization that offers free housing in structurally disadvantaged neighborhoods in exchange for volunteer work in local learning houses. There, children from the neighborhood receive tutoring, play-based learning, and developmental support.

When COVID-19 lockdowns began in 2020, all in-person learning activities had to stop immediately. This put the entire initiative at risk, as many children lost their only access to educational support, social exchange, and structured learning environments.

At the same time, within the cooperative Bar Trink—genosse, we had launched a digital bar with virtual rooms as a response to the lockdown. Based on this experience, Tausche Bildung für Wohnen approached us to explore a potential collaboration.

Challenge

• Sudden loss of all physical learning spaces due to contact restrictions

• No existing digital infrastructure suitable for children and teenagers

• High requirements for data protection, safety, and accessibility

• Limited time and resources, remote only

• Unequal access to hardware among families in financially challenging situations

The key challenge was not only technical, but organizational and social: enabling access to digital learning in a context with limited digital literacy and infrastructure.

I acted as enabler, focusing on coordination, framing, and facilitation.

• Steering the collaboration between: One interaction designer/developer, one illustrator, and a very motivated client team

• Moderating co-creation and decision-making workshops

• Translating social and pedagogical needs into technical requirements

We jointly decided to create a lightweight digital “exchange bar” — a virtual space that allowed safe and informal interaction for children and teenagers.

Key principles:

• Accessibility for Children: Virtual representation of the physical house that the children know and love
• Easy to use for children, families, and volunteers
• Privacy-first and GDPR-compliant
• Minimal technical complexity
• Speed over Perfection

Within two months, we delivered:

• A secure, privacy-compliant digital space for learning and exchange

• Virtual rooms for tutoring, group activities, and social interaction

In parallel, Tausche Bildung für Wohnen successfully secured short-term funding from Haniel Foundation for providing tablets to families without adequate devices

It is important to note that while we delivered the technical solution, the real operational challenge lay in:

• Internal IT training for the team

• Supporting families with device setup and usage

• Accompanying children and parents through the transition to digital formats

As with many COVID initiatives, everyone involved took on multiple roles simultaneously and dedicated a lot of energy to this venture.

• Learning offers, group exchanges, and informal social interactions resumed from home

• The platform provided both educational support and emotional relief during a period of isolation

Most importantly, children who were at risk of being entirely disconnected from education and peer exchange regained a sense of participation, continuity, and support during the lockdown.