New opening at Engelplatz

On September 26, 2024, the ProbierLaden at Engelplatz 14 - directly opposite the new citizen service - will officially open its doors. From 10 a.m., all interested parties are cordially invited to explore the new premises and get to know the team and the wide range of digital education services on offer. The opening ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. with speeches by Lord Mayor Dr. Thomas Nitzsche, Dr. Angela Anding, Head of the Adult Education Center, and Dorothea Prell, Smart City Project Manager.

Der ProbierLaden öffnet am 26.09. am Engelplatz 14 seine Türen und lädt alle Interessierten ein, digitale Lösungen zu testen.

© vhs/ JenaKultur

The low-threshold offer of the ProbierLaden is free of charge and is aimed at all citizens of Jena who are looking for support with everyday digital issues or want to expand their basic skills. Various digital devices such as laptops, tablets, smartphones, smartwatches, fully automatic coffee machines and robot vacuum cleaners can be tried out in a relaxed living room atmosphere - in keeping with the name. The aim is to make it easier to use digital devices and reduce fear of contact.

Media educators will be on hand to help with various questions: Whether it's setting up an email address, transferring photos from a smartphone to a laptop, sending large video files, digitizing analogue media or using PayPal for online payments - the ProbierLaden offers tailored support. The focus is on learning, asking questions, trying things out and understanding.

"We are delighted to create a place that brings people of all ages and backgrounds together to expand their digital skills. The great interest before the opening shows how important this offer is. Many interested people were already regularly enquiring about moving in," explains Sandra Laue, project coordinator of the ProbierLaden.

Consultation appointments can be arranged to ensure individual support. Free courses and information series are also offered, including introductory courses in Word and PowerPoint, talks on data security, cybercrime and dealing with social media, as well as workshops on creating emails or editing photos with a smartphone. The schedule is available in the ProbierLaden, at the vhs and online at this link.

The ProbierLaden also offers free training courses on digital topics for educational professionals and clubs. These include training courses for Office 365, Canva or apps for educational institutions. Interested daycare centers, schools or social institutions can contact Sandra Laue and her team directly.

In addition to the store, there is also the ProbierMobil - a mobile information stand on an e-bike. "This allows us to reach people who can't come to us," adds Dr. Angela Anding, head of the adult education center.

The ProbierMobil is used at town festivals (e.g. in December at "Lasst Lobeda leuchten") and can be requested by clubs or social institutions for training purposes.

Opening hours of the tasting shop

• Tuesday & Thursday: 2-7 p.m.
• Wednesday & Friday: 10-15 h
• Every 1st & 3rd Saturday of the month: 10 am - 2 pm

The ProbierLaden is a measure of the Smart City project of the city of Jena and was developed in cooperation with the Jena Adult Education Center and JenaKultur. Together with the Ernst Abbe Library and the Jena Digital Innovation Hub (JEDI), which opened in August, the ProbierLaden forms the new "triangle of learning" in the heart of the city.

Opening details

• When: Thursday, September 26, 2024
  • 10 a.m. Opening for all interested citizens
  • 2 - 3 p.m. Official opening with the Lord Mayor
• Location: ProbierLaden, Engelplatz 14, Jena (opposite the new citizen service)

In entspannter Wohnzimmeratmosphäre können verschiedene technische Geräte getestet und digitale Basiskompetenzen erweitert werden.

© JenaKultur/ vhs