Certificate Inklusion – Basiskompetenzen [Inclusion – Basic Competences]

Focused Theory-Practice-Connection in Teacher Education for Inclusion

Abstract

The article gives a conceptual and content-related overview of the three-semester study programme Zertifikat Inklusion – Basiskompetenzen (ZIB), which is offered at the University of Regensburg since summer term 2016. Interested primary or secondary school teacher students are thus given the opportunity to acquire basic competences for their future professional practice in inclusive settings. The overall concept is characterized by intensive and structured theory-practice interlocking. During the semester, students attend their internship school every week and are assigned tasks that systematically relate practical experience to theoretical content. They reflect on their experiences in the accompanying practical seminar. The tasks in the internship increase each semester in complexity from working with one child or teenager to working with a small group to working with the class. The conceptual and content basis was formed by the Profile for Inclusive Teachers, which was developed by the European Agency for Development in Special Needs Education (2012). Accordingly, three areas of competence are taken as a basis: attitudes, knowledge, and skills. In accordance with the central basic values of the profile, the main focus is on inclusion, indi-vidual support, counselling and cooperation as well as support for all learners in inclusive settings. The article describes ZIB’s concept and uses selected results from empirical research to illustrate the effectiveness of this study program in relation to the areas of competence from both the students’ and lecturers’ perspective. In addition, assessments of the significance of the conceptual parts of the certificate are shown based on student statements.