Starting in the coming winter semester, the TUD Dresden University of Technology will increase its capacity in its teacher education programs by introducing two new subjects: Biology and Automotive Engineering. With Biology TUD establishes a subject that has long been desired by students. Already by now, more students are enrolled in TUD teacher education programs (TE) than in the previous decade. This is an important step towards combating the shortage of teachers in Saxony. The quality of education also plays an important role: in addition to new, compulsory teaching-learning courses on key qualifications, political education, inclusion, media education and sustainable development the innovative project "Making Teachers Confident" offers comprehensive support in all phases of the study program until the transition to preparatory service.

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Professor Monique Meier is immensely pleased. The work of the past ten months culminates in the long-awaited semester start at the beginning of October. Since December of last year, the Brandenburg native has held the Chair of Didactics of Biology at Dresden University of Technology and has been preparing the introduction of the subject of biology for secondary schools, grammar schools and vocational schools for a total of 60 TE students. Biology has been repeatedly indicated as a desired subject in surveys among TE students in recent years. The new subject is also making a valuable contribution to teacher education in Saxony, because teachers are desperately needed, especially in the STEM sector. "I chose Dresden University of Technology because excellent research is conducted here in the subject of biology. With the future students, I would like to teach and learn the diversity of biology in the laboratory as well as in the seminar room, in the digital space as well as in nature in a varied, professionally-networked and innovative way. My goal is to establish a practice-oriented education that cooperates closely with schools and other educational institutions from the very beginning in order to best prepare students for professional practice and also to make the transition to school smoother," Meier describes her motivation.

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However, not only in biology, but in all TE subjects at TUD, support, practical and socially relevant education as well as a well-prepared transition into professional life will play an even more important role in the future. With the new study regulations, which will come into force in the winter semester 2023/24, the range of courses has been further developed in many places. The results of the internal quality management and the student surveys of the Center for Teacher Education and Educational Research (ZLSB) at Dresden University of Technology have been incorporated. Furthermore, many of the offers will not only be available exclusively to TE students, but also to participants of the lateral entry (German abbreviation: BQL) program. A certificate course in technology and computers for active school teachers has also been started.

New additions to TE at Dresden University of Technology are compulsory teaching-learning courses on inclusion, political education and media education. Education for sustainable development is also anchored in the curriculum across all subjects. With these offers, students acquire important key qualifications that they will need for successful professional practice. In addition, there will be more subject-specific courses offered exclusively for TE students.

To ensure that many students not only begin their studies, but also complete them successfully, there is a comprehensive support system. The project "Making Teachers Confident" accompanies and supports TE students from the start of their studies, through the course of their studies, to the transition into their professional future. With various offers and formats, bridges are built to overcome organisational obstacles, to specifically promote key competences for studies and profession and to develop realistic expectations of themselves, their studies and their professional careers.

"In addition, the TUD is committed to successful transfer from science to school practice in teacher education. Thus, the tradition of conferences on Saxon teacher education is being continued. This year it is dedicated to school practice in teacher education," explains Martin Neumärker, Manager of the ZLSB, and continues: "With the ZLSB project IMPRESS, we also aim to strengthen internationalisation in teacher education at the TUD. The focus here is on improving the intercultural competence of our students, as well as increasing student mobility."

Contact

Prof. Monique Meier
Chair of Didactics in Biology
+49 351 463-44596

Martin Neumärker
Managing Director Center for Teacher Education and Educational Research
+49 351 463-42452