The Dresden University School supports school development processes at schools in eastern Saxony as part of the "Schule bewegt Sachsen" project. Schools in Upper Lusatio often have to contend with particular challenges such as a serious shortage of teachers. With the findings from the real-world laboratory on the school of the future, which is unique in Germany, the cooperation project aims to find solutions with new approaches.
School development as a solution for teacher shortages in Upper Lusatia
The "Bildung bewegt Sachsen" project, supported by the Saxon state government, also addresses school development as a response to the shortage of teachers. In Löbau and Weißwasser, school development is being supported at two secondary schools and one grammar school through the transfer and further development of pedagogical elements from the Dresden University School. Scientific leader of the school trial, Prof. Anke Langner explains: "The basic idea of the school pilot project is to develop elements for modern and innovative learning that can also be used in other schools. There are various formats that have been developed over the last four years at the Dresden University School, which we can now offer to schools to transfer, i.e. to apply them in their schools and possibly develop them further. This also involves formats that can relieve the workload on teachers."
Contemporary learning in projects, with learning modules and in the youth school
"These are student-centered formats such as cross-grade and interdisciplinary project learning, in which teachers develop independent learning together with the students as learning guides," continues the Professor of Inclusive Education at TU Dresden, "but also concepts for self-regulated learning such as the learning modules (Lernbausteine). We can imagine this concept being systematically introduced at grammar schools, for example. Another element is our youth school (Jugendschule). Here, pupils in grades 7 and 8 go out of the school building and work at a learning location that is relevant to life and the world of work. For example, they have to cook for the whole group and also grow food, or they have to manufacture their own tools. We can probably implement this youth school concept at one of the secondary schools in Upper Lusatia." This is how actors from science and school practice are jointly shaping the educational landscape in East Saxony.
Project launch in Löbau and Weißwasser in the 2023/24 school year
At the kick-off event on 13 November 2023, the heads of the Löbau and Weißwasser schools came together. At the Saxon State Chancellery, the heads of the Dresden University School trial, Prof. Anke Langner, TU Dresden, and Maxi Heß, Dresden University Community School, as well as representatives of the various schools from Löbau and Weißwasser met with Minister President Michael Kretschmer and Minister of State for Culture Christian Piwarz
The school development processes at Geschwister-Scholl-Gymnasium Löbau, Heinrich-Pestalozzi-Oberschule Löbau and Bruno-Bürgel-Oberschule Weißwasser began with the current school year. In December, the active joint design starts with an inventory. "Together with the head of the Dresden University School Maxi Heß, we are looking at the challenges and resources that the local schools already have. Based on this, we will jointly consider the appropriate formats for school development," announced Prof. Anke Langner.
Fascinating concepts from Dresden University School for the education of the future
Minister President Michael Kretschmer sees great potential here at TU Dresden. At the launch event on November 13 at the Saxon State Chancellery, he said: "Our future teachers are being trained here, but new ideas on how education should work in the future are also being born here. For example, there is a university school where education really is taught in a new way. This university school has an incredible fascination for young people who are studying to be teachers, and I am delighted that we have now managed to go to Upper Lusatia, to Löbau and Weißwasser - and if other locations want to follow - to try this concept of new education and thus also to interest young people who are keen to go into this field in Upper Lusatia. This model is a further contribution to making Upper Lusatia more attractive and inspiring young people to pursue a career in our home region."
About the Dresden University School
The Dresden University School is a joint project of the state capital Dresden and the Technical University. It is a public and free community school run by the city, where innovative forms of teaching and learning are tested under academic supervision. In addition, it is a training school for future teachers and, in the future, a further education school for teachers. The school trial is being scientifically supported by the ForUS research center at TU Dresden.
Information on the research project at TU Dresden: https://tu-dresden.de/gsw/unischule
Information about the Dresden University School: http://universitaetsschule.org
Open Day on 20.01.2024: Calendar on the school website
You can find insights into everyday school life and the research project on various social media channels under @unischuleTUD. Follow the links to Dresden University School on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
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