"Teams on their way to inclusive schools"

A seminar concept to promote cooperation skills

Abstract

In inclusive settings, teachers encounter modified professionalization requirements; accordingly, teacher training is required to react to new contextual conditions. In particular, the growing amount of team teaching situations and the challenges that come with it require a change. In the course of the seminar students for primary school and for special need education learn together and develop a relevant issue for the inclusive school improvement using the mode of inquiry-based learning. In addition to the discussion of topics such as teacher cooperation or the establishment of an inclusive value base, they also reflect on their team process within the mixed small groups. The students document their process on reflection sheets, in which they relate their own experiences to what they have learned. They approach the tasks that come with an inclusive school system in the joint responsibility of general education and special education. The teachers from both disciplines also practice team teaching (education/rehabilita-tion science) and by this try to demonstrate co-construction known as the highest level of cooperation. Thus attitudes, knowledge and competences for team and cooperation processes should be acquired. The paper outlines the concept of the seminar, uses materials and methods for structuring team processes, and refers to formal teaching evaluations as well as reflections of students and teachers from two rounds.