Flexibility in teacher training to attract new students (Flexwin)

At a glance

For: Teacher training students, prospective students, lateral or career changers, non-traditional students, students with extracurricular commitments

Topics: Teacher training, flexibility, part-time studies, permeability, student success, quality development

Location: University of Kassel

Flexibility in teacher training

The Flexwin project, "Flexibility in Teacher Education to Attract New Students," was developed in cooperation between the Core Studies Commission and the Center for Teacher Education at the University of Kassel. Its aim is to specifically increase the attractiveness of the university's five teacher education programs (primary school, secondary school, grammar school, vocational school, and, starting in the 2024/25 winter semester, special education). The project's target group primarily includes students with prior professional qualifications, those from non-traditional backgrounds, such as career changers or lateral entrants, who are interested in studying to become teachers. It also includes enrolled students who regularly fulfill extracurricular obligations (e.g., employment, childcare) alongside their studies. Both groups have a demonstrably high need for flexible study conditions and formats. However, the options for studying to become a teacher with limited time commitment are currently not widely known or systematically presented.

Examination of flexible study options

As part of an internal university survey, flexible study options within the five degree programs are being examined, and existing as well as promising measures to promote flexibility below the degree program level are being considered. This includes, among other things, identifying the potential and challenges of microcredentials – shorter learning and study opportunities with documented learning outcomes that serve a professional or personal development need – as a university qualification offering (e.g., for lateral entrants and career changers). With the aim of clearly illustrating flexibility options within studies, the findings from the Flexwin project will ultimately be compiled in the transparency tool "Flexibility Navigator," which will comprise a handbook and a website.