Education In Germany Research Articles

Teachers with a refugee background work as educators in Germany

This study's focus is to determine refugee teachers' views regarding their ability to work as teachers in Germany, their initiatives, and the challenges they face. In this context, the study was conducted based on qualitative research methodology. In order to collect data a total of 265 teachers residing in the 16 states of Germany were reached. Upon examining the results, it is observed that the majority of participants express a desire to work as teachers in Germany, while only a few have actually obtained the opportunity to work as teachers in Germany. More than half of the participants who are currently working as teachers reside in the North Rhine-Westphalia state. When analyzing the results, it becomes evident that a significant portion of the participants are strongly inclined to pursue a teaching career in Germany. However, the data reveals that the actual attainment of employment as teacher in Germany remains relatively low among the respondents. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that a majority of the teachers currently employed in the profession are concentrated in the North Rhine-Westphalia state.

Perspectives of students with intellectual disabilities on Inclusive Physical Education in Germany

Perspectives of students with intellectual disabilities on Inclusive Physical Education in Germany

Economic cyber-physical space: theoretical and methodological genesis and modern trends of formation and development

In this scientific study, the socio-economic and technical and technological features of the new economic and technological paradigm are high lighted. As a result of the analysis of trends in the development of the Industry 4.0 market and digital initiatives adopted in the world, the prerequisites for the formation of an economic cyber-physical space at the national level have been identified, and the relevance of the subject of scientific research has been substantiated. Based on the analysis of the evolutionary development of spatial economics, the research of scientific schools is systematized and theoretical and methodological schemes belonging to representatives of the German, French (continental), Anglo-Saxon and Russian schools of spatial economics are analyzed. As a result, the postulates of the economic cyberphysical space are developed and the author's interpretation of the concept of economic cyber physical space is proposed.

Learning Strategies in Mathematics for Related Study Programs Focusing on Cooperative Education in Germany – Viewed from the Perspectives of the Academic Disciplines, Economics and Engineering, as well as Gender

AbstractCognitive learning strategies are seen as a central element for successful learning. Acquiring knowledge about its worth, can support persons in sophisticated groups in attaining academic success. Consequently, the authors are interested in domain-specific learning strategies for mathematics in the academic disciplines of economics and engineering in cooperative tertiary education, in addition to determining gender-specific preferences for particular learning strategies. Data from a cross-sectional design with N = 565 cooperative students from Germany are used. A 2 × 2 analysis of variance, with one repeated measure, show the impact of academic disciplines and gender on seven specific cognitive learning strategies in mathematics. Taken together, these results show the complexity of cognitive learning strategies in higher education learning.

Travelling religion: dynamic processes of Orthodox religious education in Germany

ABSTRACT The Orthodox Church in Germany is characterised by its diaspora situation. Most of the Orthodox Christians are related with at least one other country from Eastern, South-Eastern Europe or the Middle East. This constellation has an impact on Orthodox religious education historically as well as in terms of structure and religious pedagogics. Beyond national backgrounds the curricula consider cultural diversity and a formation of an Eastern identity of a Western Orthodoxy in a fruitful dialogue with the concrete local surrounding. At the same time, it corresponds to the religious education models prescribed by the German federal states, which includes denominational religious education and expectantly forms of denominational cooperation. Orthodox religious education in Germany is characterised by a dynamic process that aims to the Orthodox identity, the contextual surroundings and current challenges.

Making a case for computer literacy: the German Informatics Society and the emerging field of computer education, late 1960s–early 1990s

ABSTRACT This article examines the historical contribution of the German Informatics Society (GI) to the establishment of computer education in German schools. It highlights the role of societal interests, international developments, public and professional debates, and technological change in the GI’s educational policy recommendations. The historical source base consists of conference proceedings, position papers and other publications by key actors within and outside the GI. Methodologically, the article refers to the concept of strategic fields of action. The article shows how the GI’s understanding of computer science played an important role in its initial policy recommendations. With increasing computerisation and then the World Wide Web, the GI had to adapt its recommendations to the now more complex situation in Germany and the polyphonic debate.

International comparative analysis of the industry-education relationship in vocational education and training: From the perspective of economic sociology

The relationship between industry and education serves as a focal point in research on vocational education. Previous studies using rigid Weberian ideal types of behavior struggle to capture the complex realities and notable variations both within and across developing countries and often fail to consider the impact of educational systems and the connection between education and employment. This article endeavors to introduce a new framework for international comparative analysis through the lens of economic sociology. This analytical framework examines three key dimensions: the readiness and capacity of industries to engage in vocational education, the willingness of students to enroll in vocational education, and the influence of labor market and education institutions on both industries and students in relation to vocational education. Its purpose is to explore the relationships and critical factors that affect the interactions between industry and education in Germany, the US, and China. The findings can be summarized as follows: In the US, industry has a relatively low demand for a skilled workforce and a diminished inclination to invest in vocational education and training (VET), and the willingness of students to engage in VET is also relatively low. Certain characteristics of US labor market and education system also present significant challenges for the industry-education relationship in VET. In Germany, the industry has a relatively high demand for skilled workers, and there is an interest in investing in VET, and some students are willing to choose VET. The labor markets and education systems in each country also affect the involvement of stakeholders in VET. In China, a more mixed picture can be observed, with a closer similarity to the US in terms of the industry-education relationship in VET, with the exception that the government plays a more active role in this.

Undergraduate dental sleep medicine teaching at German university dental schools - a questionnaire-based survey

PurposeDiagnosing and treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) requires fundamental understanding of sleep medicine, including training and clinical experience. So far, dental sleep medicine (DSM) has not yet become a mandatory part of dental education in Germany. This questionnaire-based survey for both lecturers and students aimed to evaluate DSM education among undergraduate students.MethodsA structured questionnaire was sent to the managing directors and student councils of all 30 German university dental schools. The questionnaire contained 13 questions on teaching quantity and content, lecturers’ knowledge, and future interest in DSM. For each university dental school, only one questionnaire should be completed by the student council and the managing director. A scoring system assessed lecturers’ knowledge based on clinical experience and qualifications. Descriptive data and correlation coefficients were calculated (P < 0.05).ResultsThe responses of 24 lecturers (80%) and 28 students (93.3%) could be evaluated. DSM was reported to be included in the curriculum by 14 lecturers (58.3%) and 4 students (14.3%). Mean teaching hours per semester were 1.4 ± 1.4 h (lecturers) and 0.2 ± 0.6 h (students) accordingly. Greater knowledge of lecturers in DSM was positively correlated with the inclusion of DSM in the curriculum (P = 0.022) and with the number of teaching hours per semester (P = 0.001).ConclusionPostgraduate education and incorporating DSM knowledge into undergraduate education (“Teach the Teacher”) seems to play a key role in fundamentally training future dentists in this field.

Медиатизированный дискурс православного студенчества об РПЦ

The article is devoted to the analysis of the modern Orthodox conservative mediatized discourse among student bloggers on the Telegram messenger platform. The relevance of the study lies in the lack of development of both the topic of mediatization of Orthodoxy and the topic of studying Orthodox conservatism in modern sociology. The study of this phenomenon in the work took place through the prism of a conceptual approach, which received the name "mediatization of religion" in scientific sociological literature. The scientific problem is that studies of the mediatization of Orthodoxy are no longer a new field, but their number is still small. A large number of religious groups that are currently forming and functioning are outside the field of view of researchers. The figurative approach, which took shape in the German school of studying mediatization, was chosen as the research method. The figurative approach re-actualizes the concept of “figuration” by Norbert Elias and considers modern communicative figuration in media through four components: communicative practices, media ensemble, frame of relevance and constellation of actors. The communicative figuration of modern Orthodox conservatism in the Telegram messenger was taken as the basis of our study, since this platform provides opportunities for discussion on social and theological issues. The purpose of the article is to describe this communicative figuration through its four components. In this regard, the objectives of the study were: a description of the context of formation and features of the modern stage of studying the mediatization of Orthodoxy; a characteristic of the 4 components of the communicative figuration of modern Orthodox conservatism among young people. The empirical part of the study was based on a series of expert, semi-structured interviews with the authors of Telegram channels included in the youth category and who are students of higher educational institutions. In total, 30 interviews were collected from March to August 2024, of which 5 were selected for the article. The results of the study demonstrated that at the moment there is a constellation of actors of modern Orthodox conservatism, in the youth pole of which a group of students can be distinguished. Orthodox conservative students build their own identity, based on the Orthodox tradition, but only in the form of moral prescriptions. They are practically not integrated into the existing structures of the Russian Orthodox Church. The frame of relevance of the communicative figuration of Orthodox conservatism considers Orthodoxy as an integral part of modern Russian culture and humanitarian science. But in the frame, there is also an opposition to liberalism, including church liberalism, which occurs on issues of the foundations of society.

Life Trajectories of the Russophone Speakers in Germany: 30 Years of Observation

This article presents a multifaceted portrait of immigrants to Germany from the post-Soviet states. The article traces the paths of two families over the course almost of a third of a century after immigration, focusing on language use and integration into the new environment. In-depth interviews conducted at various stages of the integration process and age-appropriate tests served as research material. The content, text, and lexical analyses, as well as a linguistic biography method, were used. The research included four generations of Russian Germans and Jews in each family. Russophones in Germany have not had an easy time integrating but, ultimately, have a positive attitude toward their adoptive country. The results show that the German language became the primary means of communication outside the family and partly within the family where Russian dominates among the second and third generations. The oldest generation (great-grandfathers and great-grandmothers) were fluent in German to some extent; those who moved at the age of 20–40 learned it sufficiently for their jobs; their children studied in German preschools and schools and became completely bilingual; and the great-grandchildren were born in Germany. The younger generations have fully integrated into German society, although strong connections with locals exist among the older generations too. Proficiency in the Russian language is still maintained even among the great-grandchildren’s generation, although not to the same extent as among the generation of young parents.

3D printed teeth with adhesive bridge preparation guide

In this study a 3D printed tooth with adhesive bridge preparation guide was designed and tested for feasibility and evaluated by students. The tooth, printed by a stereolithographic printer, consisted of two differently colored layers with an integrated adhesive bridge preparation. This showed the extent and thickness of the preparation. 42 dental students in the fourth year of their studies were trained in a voluntary course. The printed teeth were evaluated with a questionnaire using German school grades from 1 (best) to 6 (worst). The production of the printed teeth for the adhesive bridge preparation was feasible and inexpensive. Overall, the students rated the teeth as good (Ø1.9 ± 0.2) in the questionnaire and evaluated the teaching method positively in the free text questions. This method supported the students to visualize the target preparation and develop a self-assessment through the ability to control their work directly on their own. The feasibility of this teaching concept was confirmed. It is suitable for teaching of new preparations forms such as adhesive bridges. The color-coded integrated preparation in the printed teeth and the printed tooth model enabled the students to learn the preparation of an adhesive bridge independently.

Almanya’da Yetişen İki Dilli Türk Kökenli Çocukların Türkçe Öğreniminde Karşılaştıkları Motivasyon Süreçleri

The Turks, who migrated to Europe as "guest workers" in the 1960s, have settled in Europe. The majority of Turks who migrated to Europe currently live in Germany. In order to strengthen the ties of Turkish students living in Germany with the Turkish language and Turkish culture, the Ministry of National Education of the Republic of Turkey initiated "Turkish Language and Turkish Culture" courses in schools located in Germany. Teachers from Turkey have been appointed to provide this education. The inability of children from Turkish immigrant families to fully learn both German and their mother tongue negatively affects their social lives as well as their academic success. Consequently, this leads to educational problems. The aim of this study is to evaluate the motivation processes faced by bilingual and Turkish-origin children living and receiving education in Germany during their Turkish language learning process. Keywords: language acquisition, listening, bilingualism, mother tongue, immigrant

The (im)possible mission of language teacher educators in Germany: Identity formation, development, and practice in institutionalised settings

AbstractResearch on language teacher identity and its development has shown that it can be crucial for teacher education to understand how identity development takes place. The few findings to date on language teacher educators and their identities show individual negotiation processes and antinomies, particularly due to transitions from teacher to teacher educator, the parallel roles of researcher and teacher educator, and so on. The project presented here examines the language teacher educator identities of 12 professionals within a highly structured training program in Germany through narrative inquiry as a means to allow for the reconstruction of biographies, identities, and practices. The narratives illustrate the normative settings of the structured system, such as set curricular guidelines, which can rarely be fulfilled by the teacher trainees, a lack of trust and professional relationship, or the struggle of the teacher educators between advisor on the one hand and evaluator on the other. The results provide implications and recommendations for other institutionalised settings in which language teacher educators work.

Designing a task-based conversational agent for EFL in German schools: Student needs, actions, and perceptions

As part of an iterative evaluation process incorporating student stakeholders within a task-based language teaching (TBLT) framework, we examine the design and early learner data of a conversational agent for English as a foreign language (EFL) in the German school context. Students (around age 12 and at an A2 proficiency level) from three 7th grade classes interacted with five tasks and completed a questionnaire assessing their needs and perceptions. Results of the needs analysis revealed that most students speak some English outside of class and that they wish for tasks targeting both authentic and curricular needs. The interaction logs showed a strong preference for typing over speaking and moderate automatic speech recognition (ASR) accuracy for the spoken interactions. Differing rates of task success and interest between the five tasks confirmed the importance of task characteristics. Despite some noted limitations, student perceptions were largely positive, with the tasks appearing more fun and more challenging for students who speak less English outside of class. Overall, our findings highlight the promise and challenges of designing a task-based conversational agent for the school EFL classroom, offering insights into balancing pedagogical and technological design, the demands of official curricula, and students’ authentic needs.

Against all odds—Factors explaining unexpected educational advancement of students from educationally disadvantaged families

AbstractIn the course of educational expansion the absolute educational opportunities of children from educationally disadvantaged families have gradually equalized. Nevertheless, the probability of significantly surpassing their parents’ educational level and thus bridging a large social-structural distance remains low for children from disadvantaged social classes. This work examines this “unexpected” educational advancement, i.e. intergenerational educational upward mobility over at least two educational degrees, of students whose parents possess no or at most the lowest secondary school degree focusing on school allocation in Germany.Combining a resource theoretical approach grounded in rational choice theory with insights from life course research, we ask which factors support children in achieving significantly higher school degrees than their parents (i.e. a school-leaving qualification that spans at least two educational levels). Hence, in view of a scarcity of resources of less advantaged students the current study asks which institutional (school), social (networks) and individual factors (personality traits) beyond the family generate academic resilience and thus enable these students to achieve unexpected upward mobility against all odds.For our analysis we use data from the German “LifE” study (1979–2024), a longitudinal life course and multigenerational study comprising data for individuals from age 12 to 57 and their parents and children. Results based on classic cross-tabulated mobility descriptives and stepwise logistic regressions show that a significant proportion of students from disadvantaged educational backgrounds (26.8%) achieve academic advancement that contradicts expectations. Attending high school creates an expected path dependency, which significantly predetermines the path to the Abitur, the highest German school leaving certificate providing admission to university. However, the students personal traits (intelligence, self-perceived aptitude) prove robust factors in the explanation of their unexpected educational success, helping them overcome a parental home situation that lacks education and other resources. For students without affiliation to a Gymnasium, however, grades and gender are more important than for students at a Gymnasium.

Leading digital innovation in schools: the role of the open innovation mindset

Schools’ digitalization requires a shift of stakeholders’ mindsets, specific forms of leadership, and strategic knowledge management to deal with current and future educational challenges. The relationship between school leaders’ open innovation mindset, transformational leadership, knowledge management practices, and the effects on digital innovation are presented. A random sample of German school leaders is analyzed through confirmatory factor analysis to investigate the construct of school leaders’ open innovation mindset followed by structural equation modeling. Results show that digital innovations and transformational leadership in schools require school leaders with an open innovation mindset who foster a collaborative culture of knowledge exchange.

Resilience in multicultural classrooms: School relationships can protect the school adjustment of immigrant, refugee and non-immigrant children.

According to the risk and resilience perspective, protective factors can attenuate the effect of risks and challenges on children's adjustment. For immigrant and refugee children, supportive relationships in the new context can be particularly beneficial. We expected that supportive school relationships play a protective role for the school adjustment of first-generation immigrant and refugee and non-immigrant children, by moderating the effect of one acculturative challenge (i.e., school language proficiency). We investigated the moderating roles of teacher-child and peer relationship quality on the association between German language proficiency and school adjustment (i.e., school achievement and belongingness) among first-generation immigrant and refugee and non-immigrant children. We recruited n = 278 fourth grade children (Mage = 10.47, SDage = .55, 53.24% female; 37% first-generation immigrant and refugee children). Questionnaires assessed children's reported teacher-child and peer relationship quality and school belongingness. One vocabulary test measured children's German proficiency. School achievement was assessed by their grade point average (GPA) and by a reading comprehension test. To investigate our hypotheses, we performed path analyses. Teacher-child relationship mitigated the effect of German proficiency on children's reading comprehension among all children and on GPA among immigrant and refugee children only. Peer relationship buffered the negative effect of German proficiency on school belongingness. Teacher-child and peer relationship quality can be beneficial for the school adjustment of both first-generation immigrant and refugee children and non-immigrant children.

Navigating academic prestige: university choice and distinction of German upper milieu students

ABSTRACT This article examines the relevance of different institutional levels in higher education for the educational strategies of upper milieu students in a case study conducted in Germany. Based on our analysis of 95 qualitative interviews with Masters students from different social backgrounds, we show how upper milieu students take advantage of the new vertical stratification in the German higher education system such as the emergence of ‘universities of excellence’, national rankings and ‘elitist’ degree programmes and networks. They also have more resources at their disposal to deal with the new complexity created by the current transformations in the field of higher education in Germany. Instead of referring to common schemes that distinguish between vertical and horizontal differentiation in higher education, we propose to focus on ‘academic prestige configurations’ in order to better understand contemporary processes of social differentiation and distinction between students. In this way, we aim to advance the empirical and theoretical discussion in higher education research on upper class students. The focus of our study is not solely on elite education, but rather on exploring the status reproduction of upper milieus through education.

The Gendered Influence of Cross-Gender Friends on the Development of Adolescents’ Gender Role Attitudes

Gender role attitudes have important implications at the individual, family, and societal levels, underscoring the importance of understanding their development. Although parents predominate in the socialization of gender role attitudes in childhood, the influence of friends increases during adolescence. In particular, cross-gender friends can provide unique insights and perspectives on another gender group, making them likely to shape gender role attitudes. However, empirical explorations of the link between gender role attitudes and cross-gender friendships have been rare. Furthermore, the few studies conducted have yielded ambiguous results and have struggled to separate the influence of cross-gender friends from a selection of such friendships based on gender role attitudes. This study addresses these limitations by using longitudinal social network models to assess the co-evolution of friendship networks and gender role attitudes among 3,194 youth (Mage = 15.2, SD = 0.67, 51% female) in German schools. The findings reveal that, after accounting for selection processes, boys with cross-gender friends develop more egalitarian gender role attitudes, while girls’ attitudes are unaffected by cross-gender friendships. These findings suggest that promoting cross-gender friendships among adolescent boys holds the potential to foster egalitarian gender role attitudes.

Good stories well told? Former right-wing extremists’ self-narratives in German schools for preventing hate, radicalization, and violence

This paper concentrates on German school interventions with former right-wing extremists for preventive and educational purposes, in view of storytelling. The involvement of former extremists in schools is associated with well-intentioned aims and various assumptions about impacts and attributions. However, current research reveals that these projects feature more challenges than positive potentials. Thus, in this paper we take former right-wing extremists’ self-narratives during these school talk interventions as a starting point for an in-depth examination of potential risks and challenges. Considering the present state of the art, we attempt to provide preliminary answers to the questions of whom these projects target, why they are conducted, what are their contents, and how they transfer information. In sum, we are inclined to conclude that caution is advisable when contemplating such interventions for educational settings with young people.