Research

Project description

In February 2018, a project on inclusive early childhood education began at Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences. The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. The aim of the research project is to promote the expansion and implementation of inclusive educational processes in early childhood education degree programs.

The specific objectives are, first of all, to identify the needs and conditions for the success of inclusive practice in Saxony-Anhalt's childcare centers. Based on these findings, teaching and learning materials will be developed and made available to early childhood education degree programmes nationwide. In this way, the project contributes to the inclusive professional development of educational staff, who can then integrate these findings into their daily pedagogical practice.

In detail, the project has the following milestones:

• Systematic literature review - a structured review of the (international) state of research on the current situation, needs, and success factors of inclusive education in early childhood education will be conducted.
• Assessment and analysis - this second step involves an assessment as well as analysis of the implementation of inclusive education in early childhood education settings. Various quantitative and qualitative research methods are used to determine the current situation, with a particular focus on the state of Saxony-Anhalt.
• Development of best-practice examples - this phase is marked by the development and presentation of prime examples of successful inclusive practice in the field of early childhood education. Based on these best-practice examples, teaching and learning materials will emerge, which will include a guide as well as various multimedia-prepared video and audio examples.
• Formative evaluation - in this final phase of the project, the effectiveness of the developed best-practice examples and teaching/learning materials will be reviewed and tested within the 'Leadership of Early Childhood Education Centers - Early Childhood Education' degree programme at Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences. Based on the findings, the developed materials will be implemented at various universities across Germany.

Saxony-Anhalt Research Portal

Project Team Members:
Prof. Dr. Matthias Morfeld, Prof. Dr. Annette Schmitt, Prof. Dr. Jörn Borke, Dr. Elena Sterdt, Eric Simon,Anja Stolakis, Sven Hohmann

Contact: inqthel@ahw.h2.de

Project description

Since the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the focus of inclusion has been on the inherent and unrestricted participation of all people in all aspects of life. No one may be excluded from the general education system or the labor market on the basis of a disability. It is the responsibility of the education system to support and promote all learners by providing the necessary resources and methods, even if this requires adapting the system. 

The core objective of the project "IKKE - Educational Accessibility through Digitalization Tools in Vocational Training" is to develop and research an innovative, digital teaching and learning environment for vocational education. Through functional, modularized digital teaching and learning tools based on the occupational profile of a chef, young people with and without disabilities or impairments will be able to learn together in a self-determined and self-directed manner, flexibly and systematically, regardless of location or time, across all settings of vocational education and training.

With the help of the project partners, three key target groups are being integrated into this inclusive and digital project: culinary apprentices, kitchen technician apprentices, and people with disabilities from sheltered workshops and vocational training programs. By raising awareness and supporting companies in their interactions with people with disabilities, the project aims to expand training and employment opportunities and provide a solution to the problem of labor and skilled worker shortages. Accessible and shared learning spaces will be created. Mutual acceptance and tolerance within society as a whole, as well as the professional and personal skills of the target groups, will be promoted. All participants will benefit from inclusive and digital instruction. The outcome, in the form of a sustainable digital tool, is to be adapted to other settings and occupational profiles. A methodologically sound documentation of the conditions for success in introducing and integrating digital tools to support inclusive vocational training will be conducted. All results of the collaborative project will be made available to facilitate their application both within the region and beyond.

The three-year project began in August 2018 and is being carried out as a collaboration between the partners BBZ Berufsbildungszentrum Prignitz GmbH, Oberstufenzentrum des Landkreises Prignitz, Lebenshilfe Prignitz e.V., and Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences. At the university, the two departments of Applied Human Sciences and Business are involved in the project and are responsible for the design, testing, implementation, and evaluation of the inclusive, digital learning support.

Project staff

Prof. Dr. Michael Herzog, Email: michael.herzog(at)h2.de

Prof. Dr. Matthias Morfeld, Email: matthias.morfeld(at)h2.de

Victoria Batz (M. A.), Email: victoria.batz(at)h2.de

Inga Lipowski (M. Sc.), Email: inga.lipowski(at)h2.de

Partner

• BBZ Berufsbildungszentrum Prignitz GmbH (Industriestraße 1, 19322 Wittenberge)
• Lebenshilfe Prignitz e.V. (Hirtenweg 8, 19322 Wittenberge)
• Oberstufenzentrum Prignitz (Bad Wilsnacker Str. 48, 19322 Wittenberge)
• Landkreis Prignitz (Berliner Str. 49, 19348 Perleberg)

Project duration

01.08.2018 - 31.07.2021

Funding

This project (FKZ 01PE18007C) is funded under the "Digital Media in Vocational Education and Training" program by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the European Social Fund (ESF).