Development of ways of learning and teaching in mathematics, IT, science and technology in interaction with school as an organisation (in English speaking world MINT is known as STEM: science, technology, environment, mathematics)
Thematic focuses
The research group «MINT didactics & school system» focuses on the school as a learning system in the context of changes in educational policy and society. The concern in this respect is with the planning, development and support of didactic, methodological and structural change processes in learning and teaching, in school and in school environments.
A perspective from work and organisational psychology helps in examining the school as an organisation, in particular in investigating the linking and influence of the micro and meso levels on each other. In the area of the micro level, the class, the tasks of the teachers, and the teaching and learning processes are central, with a particular interest being placed on the mathematical-scientific-technological and interdisciplinary topics.
In contrast, on the meso level, school is considered as an organisation. The linkage of the two levels, i.e. the embedding of classroom changes in the organisational context, is important because of the additional load on the teachers and the necessary adaptation of organisational structures which contribute to a sustainable change. The prerequisite in this regard is that readiness and motivation as well as the necessary resources and a favourable general framework are present. A careful, fair planning that considers individual needs is of central importance in this regard.
- Success and risk factors of school and class development (e.g. implementation, support and evaluation of change processes in learning systems including their organisational, structural conditions).
- Teaching and learning processes in mathematics, science and technology, in particular as a basis for research-based development and evaluation of teaching materials.
- Implementation of diverse topics in the sense of an interdisciplinary competence development: systems thinking, education for sustainable development, and technology in general education.