Research focus theory-practice relation

Pilot project from the research framework "Appropriation processes of the relation between theory and practice of future pedagogical professionals"

In the context of linking theory and practice in social pedagogical training, a truncated confrontation of actors and activities can (often) be observed, which not only separates these into two supposedly delimitable areas, but also seemingly clearly demarcates the dimensions of action and reflection from each other. This raises the question of how theory and practice can be fruitfully engaged in vocational education and training programs.
However, little is known so far about the views of teachers and students in social pedagogical qualifications on the appropriation possibilities of this relation and can therefore be understood as a desideratum in social pedagogical didactics and vocational training research.
The pilot project within the aforementioned research framework focuses precisely on this desideratum and is dedicated to an interview study of the perspective of teachers of social pedagogy in vocational education, who (can) actively shape the relation between theory and practice. For this purpose, guided interviews were conducted with teachers from Lower Saxony. The focus of interest was how teachers describe (didactic) structuring of theory-practice links, especially with regard to the learning of these and the associated (professional) learning processes.
In this way, a (first) contribution to the further professionalization of social pedagogical training is to be made, in order to elicit further research desiderata on the basis of this basic research, to establish qualification research for social pedagogical specialists and to open it up to international scientific discourse.

Forum socio-educational qualifications - Dialogue - Workshop - Research

Within the framework of the research focus, the idea of the expert forum arose, which provides space for exchange and discussion of social pedagogical qualifications from different perspectives. For this purpose, different guest speakers are invited. Information about upcoming lectures will be made available in a timely manner.

In January 2022, Manuel Freis already gave his guest lecture to students of the teaching research project on his publication Ethnography in the Practical Semester - Studying Social Work at the Learning Site 'Practice' (2021).
Since the winter semester 2022/23 until the end of the summer semester 2023, the lecture series "Ways to a Didactics of Social Pedagogy" (together with Junior Professor Dr. Nina Göddertz/ University of Paderborn) takes place.
Furthermore, a symposium (in cooperation with the University of Osnabrück and nifbe) on the topic "Challenges in the diversity of social pedagogical training: Dialogue between university teacher training and vocational education" at the University of Osnabrück. This year, the symposium was held at the University of Lüneburg on the topic of "Guidance in the Contexts of Social Pedagogical Training - Invitation to a Dialogue between University Teacher Training and Vocational Education". A third symposium in the series is planned for 2024, again at the University of Osnabrück.
Likewise, within the framework of the Forum socio-educational qualifications - Dialogue - Workshop - Research, a working group on didactics with teachers of social pedagogy from different federal states (this has been taking place once a quarter since July 2021), which focuses on stronger networking between universities and vocational training courses, especially with regard to didactic aspects.

Project Lead

Prof. Dr. Anke Karber

Research Associate

Anna Bobe