Learning to Teach All: A Unique Course at Regensburg University

Have you ever wondered how teachers learn to include every student in the classroom? At Regensburg University, there's a special course called "Zertifikat Inklusion – Basiskompetenzen" (ZIB) that helps future teachers do just that. This three-semester program, starting in the summer of 2016, is designed for students studying to be elementary or middle school teachers. It helps them gain essential skills for working in inclusive classrooms, where students with different needs learn together. The course is all about linking theory with practice. Each week, students go to their assigned school for practical experience. They get tasks that blend what they do in the classroom with what they learn in theory. Later, they discuss these experiences in a university seminar. The tasks get more complex each semester, starting with working with one child, then a small group, and finally the whole class. The course is based on a profile developed by the European Agency for Special Needs Education in 2012. This profile focuses on three key areas: attitudes, knowledge, and actions. So, the course covers topics like inclusion, individual support, counseling, cooperation, and helping all learners in inclusive settings. But does it really work? The article shares some findings from research done alongside the course. Both students and teachers think the extra study helps a lot, especially in those three key areas. Some students even shared their thoughts on how valuable the course's design is.