Students develop schools
Through research-based, experiential learning, student teachers act as multipliers – transferring innovation to schools and promoting educational participation.
Objectives
- Acquisition of innovative subject knowledge and skills by students, combined with didactic testing through practical internships and other learning formats.
- Review and updating of scientific findings for schools and teaching through close collaboration and active exchange with schools in the educational region of Cologne, as well as with the university’s own training and research school.
- Enhancement of opportunities for participation for educationally disadvantaged adolescents through student involvement in service learning
Inclusive University School (IUS)
The Inclusive University School Cologne (IUS) is the only teacher training and research school of its kind in Germany and is sponsored by the University of Cologne and its cooperating universities.
It is the result of a merger between a public primary and comprehensive secondary school (Grundschule and Gesamtschule), and enables inclusive education from primary school to Abitur. The University School is a collaboration between the University of Cologne, the City of Cologne, and the district government of Cologne.
It fosters an innovative link between research, school development, and teacher education. The results of the collaborative development work carried out by researchers, those responsible for teacher education, and school staff are implemented in the educational region of Cologne as part of the innovation transfer process.
As a model school for inclusive education, the Inclusive University School Cologne offers student teachers a wide range of opportunities to gain research-based and practical experience during their internships. Working alongside teachers and students, they can conduct educational research, participate in school development, and develop new approaches to inclusive education.
Learn more:
Faculty of Human Sciences Learning Lab
The learning lab is a nationally renowned and interdisciplinary training facility for student teachers and teachers, which serves as an important place for meetings and exchanges.
Tried-and-tested innovative didactic concepts are presented and discussed in workshops held at the lab.
The lab library offers a rich collection of didactic materials and diagnostic procedures that can be used for concrete lesson planning.
Projects to promote educational participation
Through Service Learning projects at the University of Cologne, students can participate in community-orientated projects, combining their studies with initiatives that make a social impact.
In teacher education, this is achieved in part through dedicated teaching and learning labs.
The Center for Teacher Education (ZfL) offers two projects developed specifically for the teacher education degree programme that promote students’ participation in education.
Students can complete their practical internships as part of their Bachelor’s degree programme, while also participating in practical, study-related learning opportunities to support their professional development as teachers.
WEICHENSTELLUNG for fourth graders
In this project, student teachers act as mentors for educationally disadvantaged primary school children during their transition to secondary school.
They work with them in learning groups and undertake cultural activities together. The objective is to provide children with opportunities to discover and develop their potential in the best possible way.
Partnerships:
- ZEIT STIFTUNG BUCERIUS
Supported by:
- Dr. Harald Hack Foundation
PROMPT! Strengthening educational participation
Student teachers support children, teenagers, and young adults in schools, in emergency shelters and as they start their careers.
The focus is on supporting newly immigrated pupils, which means topics like German as an additional language and anti-discrimination are highly relevant.
Supported by:
- Stiftung Zukunft NRW
- Ford Philanthropy
