The second pilot phase of the project to better intertwine theory and practice in teacher training has started at TU Dresden. The internship runs throughout the semester and allows participating students to grow into the teaching role and provide learning support, all the while mitigating the shortage of teachers in East Saxony through practical work. Every Friday after the fall break, around 45 students travel to a school in Neusalza-Spremberg, Görlitz, Zittau or Löbau and take charge of a school class in teams of four for a whole day of learning.
Innovative learning formats instead of teaching substitutes
In the four participating schools in Lusatia, however, it is not a question of replacing missing teachers and holding regular lessons. Instead, students should facilitate additional activities for smaller learning groups that bolster the pupils’ learning and for which there is hardly any time during normal teaching hours. These include, for example, reading support, project work or independent work in so-called learning offices.
At the end of September, project manager Prof. Anke Langner, in collaboration with Julia Nowak and Katja Kuritz, scientific staff at the Chair of Educational / Inclusive Education, introduced the students to the process and the focus of the work with the pupils, as well as the professional opportunities that the project entails. In the first few weeks of October, the teacher training students get to know their mentors and supporting colleagues at their placement schools while familiarizing themselves with the school. They also have the chance to prepare the first days of school together. After the fall break in Saxony, the teams and the pupils will begin their teaching-learning symbiosis.
Professionalisation for future teachers at the TU Dresden
The students are supported by regular feedback meetings for reflecting their experience with the project leaders to better combine their practical experience with the theory taught at the university. Furthermore the Collegial case counselling offered by the Educational Science Teaching and Research Workshop (ELF), prospective teachers can develop their professional skills, reflect on their own pedagogical approaches and improve teaching methods in a peer setting.
In the alternative teaching internship at selected secondary schools in East Saxony, the students also benefit from the experience gained during the internship in conjunction with the semester at the University School Dresden. Prof. Anke Langner is continuously developing this approach in collaboration with the school community and students to improve the connection between theory and practice early on in the degree program.
Successful initial pilot phase in summer 2024
From May 1 - June 15, 2024, an initial pilot phase was carried out at two schools in Weißwasser and Zittau. Over a period of six weeks, the 14 participating students were able to try out innovative teaching and learning methods with motivated pupils in small groups. Many of them are now continuing their internship. They have already completed the required coursework, but the project enables them to efficiently combine professional practice with a student job.
Sponsoring organisations
The first pilot phase was made possible by the financial support of the German Center for Astrophysics (DZA) in Görlitz. The second phase is funded by the Center for Advanced Systems Understanding CASUS, which is also based in Görlitz and is an institute of the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf. In addition, the project is being co-financed by tax funds on the basis of the budget approved by the Saxon State Parliament (SMK) and receives funding from the TÜV SÜD Stiftung. The local authorities support the utilization of the students and therefore encourage the student teams to prepare their classes the night before so to facilitate a smooth start to the learning day with the pupils.
About the University School Dresden
The University School Dresden 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 on the Dresden University School: https://universitaetsschule.org
On various social media channels you can find insights into the research project and everyday school life under @unischuleTUD: Facebook, X-Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn. You can also regularly read news from the Dresden University School project in the Newsletter of the Humanities and Social Sciences Division at TU Dresden.
