Practice-integrated study programme in Primary Education: The university pearl of the month October goes to Brandenburg

The Stifterverband awards the university pearl of the month October for this modern approach.

The university pearl of the month October on the topic of "Rethinking Teacher Education" goes to the study programme in primary education at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg. The entire theoretical study program is accompanied by integrative practical weeks, with the disciplines involved in teacher education working closely together. The central point of orientation is the holistic view of the educational processes of the child.

In order to counter the massive shortage of teachers, the BTU and the state of Brandenburg are attempting to take a completely new approach in Germany with the teacher training program for primary school teachers. Students are taught theoretical and pedagogical knowledge in learning workshops at the university as a foundation for their intended profession as teachers. The so-called school-practical studies take place as an integrative component of the studies and are reflected on during the semester. They offer a direct insight into the fields of activity in schools. In this way, students learn the competencies essential in particular for working with elementary school children, such as motivation, enthusiasm, and fostering the joy of understanding and applying in a particularly practical way. This is an essential basis for the development of a pedagogical attitude and a teacher personality that treats students with respect and encouragement, so that children experience school positively.

In the Bachelor's program, a special focus is placed on the aspects of Education Sciences and subject didactics. Preferably, alternative teaching-learning formats are used in which students work on content under guidance and in intensive exchange with the teachers as well as reflect on their own learning processes. The first two semester-long internships include weekly observations and discussions with teachers and students as well as individually conducted teaching units. The third internship involves working on issues related to educational science or inclusive education. A novelty nationwide is the dual master's program, which will start for the first time in the winter semester 2026/27.

In selecting the practice-integrating study programme in teacher education as the university pearl of the month for October, the jury of the Stifterverband was convinced that the study programme stands outaboveall because it tests a completely new study structure that is closely linked to practice. "It is very attractive for students to also work in schools from the first semester on. The bachelor's degree program now launched will be followed by a master's degree program integrating practice in the same way from the winter semester 2026/27. It will then be the first dual master's degree program in the teaching profession. This concept is contemporary and exemplary for further courageous approaches in teacher training," was the jury's reasoning for awarding the university pearl of the month for October to the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg.

Prof. Dr. Peer Schmidt, Vice-President for Academic Affairs at the BTU, is delighted with the award: "I am very grateful to the Stifterverband jury for its recognition of our new study programme in Primary Education and the innovative path we have taken in the very practice-oriented design of the curriculum. Thank you for the university pearl!"

For more information on the primary teacher education

study programme, please visit: www.b-tu.de/lehramt-primarstufe-bed

University pearls are innovative, exemplary projects implemented at a university. Every month, the Stifterverband presents a university pearl. Once a year, the university pearl of the year is selected from the monthly pearls by voting.
In 2023, the Stifterverband is looking for projects that show what sustainable and attractive teacher training can look like. On the one hand, there is a massive shortage of teachers, and on the other hand, future teachers are inadequately prepared for the challenges of transformation in their current education. However, many universities already have good approaches to addressing these problems - the Stifterverband would like to honor these ideas and concepts and make them visible. Applications and suggestions are possible at any time: https: //www.stifterverband.org/hochschulperle.

The Stifterverband is a community of around 3,500 committed people, companies and organizations from business, science and civil society. The aim of its work is to rethink and reshape education and science in order to sustainably strengthen the innovative power of society. As a central source of inspiration, it analyzes current challenges, funds model projects and facilitates their dissemination in diverse networks. It networks business, science and civil society, jointly develops ideas and initiates political reforms. In its work, it concentrates on two fields of action: Education and Skills and Collaborative Research and Innovation. https://www.stifterverband.org

Contacts:
Stifterverband
Peggy Groß
Press spokesperson
T 030 322982-530
presse(at)stifterverband.de
www.stifterverband.org

Primary level teaching
Prof. Dr. Juliane Noack Napoles
Director of studies
Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU)
T 0355 5818 414
noacknap@b-tu.de