In the summer semester 2025, teacher training students at TU Dresden can take the seminar "Developing and testing research methods" with Lucille Friebel and Marlis Pesch. The aim of the seminar is to actively involve students in the development of learning materials designed for pupils at the university school. The education and inclusion officers from the QuaBIS project support the seminar leaders.

Learning material for project-based and research-based learning

As part of the seminar, students create instructions on various research methods that enable pupils to apply these methods independently and carry out their own research projects. The focus in the current summer semester is on the methods research, interview and survey. These were selected in close cooperation with the learning guides at the university school. This allows the materials to be optimally tailored to the needs of the children and youths.

The material is being developed for all age groups that are currently learning in mixed-grade groups in the school that continues to grow: elementary level (grades 1-3), intermediate level (grades 4-6), junior level (grades 7-8) and qualification level (grades 9-10).

Practical preparation through observation

In order to design the learning materials in a practice-oriented way, the students will visit the Dresden University School before actually developing the materials. By observing and interacting with pupils and teachers, they will gain valuable insights into everyday school life and project-based learning methods. This experience flows directly into the development of the materials to ensure their quality and applicability. Over the course of the semester, the developed materials are tested in the school, evaluated and further developed in the seminar.

Maximilian Stelling is studying to become a teacher of German/Geography in the 6th semester and has “noticed through the observation and the discussions with the students that there is already a lot of knowledge about the methods at the qualification level. The learning material that we will now create in the seminar will help the students to refine their research.”

A win-win situation for everyone involved

For the seminar leaders Dr. Marlis Pesch (staff member at the ForUS University School Research Unit) and Lucille Friebel (staff member at the Chair of Education / Inclusive Education), the seminar "Developing and testing research methods" is valuable for the future teachers as well as the pupils: "Not only can students acquire valuable skills in the area of material development and didactics, but the seminar also makes an important contribution to promoting research-based learning at the university school," states Marlis Pesch. Lucille Friebel adds: "The practice-oriented collaboration between university and school creates a win-win situation: the pupils benefit from the materials developed, while the students can apply and expand their knowledge in practice."

The education and inclusion officers Belma Bilir, Mara Fink, Hedwig Isensee and Svenja Mader from the QuaBIS - Qualification of Education and Inclusion Officers project are also involved. In exchange with the students and in the creation of the material, they bring in inclusion didactic focal points and support the implementation. 

About the seminar leaders

Lucille Friebel is researching the topics of project work and lesson development as part of her dissertation project at the Chair of Education / Inclusive Education (EWIB). In addition to the seminar "Developing and testing research methods", she offers the course "Teaching and general didactics" in the field of educational research in the summer semester 2025. See staff member profile.

Dr. Marlis Pesch is a Research Associate at the Dresden University School Research Center (ForUS), where she works on the topics of pedagogical staff competencies, stress management skills in children and adolescents and psychological disorders in children and adolescents. See staff member profile.

In the News section of the Chair of Education / Inclusive Education (EWIB) you will find an overview of the courses offered by the EWIB Chair in the field of educational research in the summer semester 2025.

About the University School Dresden

Dresden University School is a joint project of the state capital of Dresden and the TUD Dresden University of Technology. It is a public and free community school run by the city, where innovative forms of teaching and learning are tested under academic supervision. In addition, it is a training school for future teachers and, in the future, a further education school for teachers. The school trial is being scientifically supported by the ForUS - University School Research Unit at TU Dresden.

Information on the research project at TU Dresden: https: //tu-dresden.de/gsw/unischule
Information on the Dresden University School: http://universitaetsschule.org

You can find insights into the research project and everyday school life on various social media channels under @unischuleTUD: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn. News from the University School Dresden project can be found regularly in the GSW newsletter.