How can Goethe’s world-famous tragedy be told in a way that resonates with today’s youth – not by simplifying it, but by reinterpreting it? This was the question at the heart of the teaching project Faust goes AI at BG Bludenz, led by Jürgen Schacherl. The idea: Central scenes were to be realized as graphic novels.

After reading the text and selecting scenes, the students used ChatGPT for analysis, storyboarding, and dialogue writing. The images were created with Midjourney, Leonardo, and Copilot, and then combined into a cohesive comic narrative using Canva. Through clever framing and recomposition, a meaningful story emerged from AI-generated fragments—one that speaks to young readers. The project concluded with a reflection on the results, based on a digital survey among the students.

The jury highlighted the project’s realistic and accessible approach to teaching literature, as well as its successful combination of literature, technology, and design. For its thoughtful use of AI within a creative context, the project Faust goes AI has been awarded the main prize of the Media Literacy Award 2025.

Projektleitung: 

Mag. Jürgen Schacherl

Mitwirkende Schüler*innen: 

Alhashoum Ghufran, Bergmair Noah, Bitschnau Flora, Bruggmüller Clara, Deuring Kiara-Marie, Ellensohn Laurin, Fend Julius, Fernandez Iker, Graß Felicia, Grohs Amelie, Jäger Marius, Karsli Derya, Klotz Linus, Maier Paul, Marino Gennaro, Müller Sarah, Rauch Tobias, Schiavone Damiano, Stroppa Paula, Tomaselli Laura, Vojic Una, Vonbrül Felix, Vonier Vanessa, Walser Sarah, Yavuz Rabia

25 students from the “Health and Exercise” and “Business and Digital” branches attend 7gbawd at BG Bludenz (2024/25). They are characterized by a high affinity for media. Together with their German teacher, they approach the content in a largely skills- and project-oriented, reflective and artistic-experimental way.

Jürgen Schacherl is a teacher of German, English and cultural education and a school librarian. He is also active in teacher training with a focus on media competence and as a film mediator and curates the horror and live action program of the Alpinale short film festival. 

We find the integration of literature, technology, and design in this project particularly compelling. Goethe's Faust is not merely read, but reinterpreted through the use of AI and transformed into a visual narrative - a bold and innovative approach.
Students develop their own prompts, critically assess the output of image generators, and create a coherent overall product. They demonstrate strong sensitivity to language, visual aesthetics, and the challenges of working with AI. Even problematic content is not overlooked but instead addressed and consciously incorporated into the learning process.
This is literature education that embraces new technologies with intention and purpose. AI is used here as a meaningful tool to open up classic works in new ways, fostering contemporary and creative approaches to literature.
This project serves as a role model: it shows how AI can be integrated into into instruction in a reflective and creative way. Other teachers can draw inspiration from this approach or use the project results directly in their own lessons.