Online course Tool Driver’s License”: Teachers fit for workshop instruction!

Online course Tool Driver’s License”: Teachers fit for workshop instruction!

The University of Rostock has launched a new online offer: the “Tool Driving License” course. As part of the “Open University of Rostock”, prospective and active teachers at primary and secondary schools and those interested in crafts can take part in the course. Dr. Stefan Blumenthal from the Institute for Primary School Education leads the further training, which imparts basic knowledge in the safe use of hand tools. Loud uni-rostock.de The course aims to reduce the insecurities of teachers who often have to give non-subject-related lessons in the craft and AWT areas.

The background is the acute shortage of teachers that is affecting schools in Germany. This deficiency often means that subjects such as technology, crafts and AWT cannot be adequately covered. To counteract this, the course combines digital theoretical input with best practice reports and learning guides to test knowledge. With this methodological diversity, the project team wants to strengthen teachers' confidence in using hand tools.

Structure of the course

The “tool driving license” is made up of various modules, each of which covers specific content on the basics, meaning and areas of application of hand tools. Each module contains interactive apps for knowledge retrieval, practice-oriented teaching videos and is supplemented by a learning booklet that is intended to help participants apply the knowledge they have acquired. A final theory test section ensures that the delivery of the learning objectives was successful, as stated in the information on uni-rostock.de is held.

The range of courses is tailored to the current needs of teachers and is therefore a valuable addition to teacher training. In collaboration with specialist colleagues such as Dr. Jonuschies from the Chair of Product Development in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Marine Engineering, the course was developed in two funding phases. The first phase was dedicated to course design, the second phase was dedicated to the learning guides.

Practical application and continuation

Practical workshops recently took place in November in collaboration with the Institute for Quality Development Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (IQMV), which point to the positive response and the high demand for such further training offers. According to the University of Rostock, 50 projects have so far been supported by the “Open University” call for proposals, and new project ideas can be submitted until March 15th.

Parallel to this online course, students from Kirchhundemer Elementary School in North Rhine-Westphalia are learning how to use tools as part of a similar project and also receive a tool driving license. This initiative not only strengthens children's self-confidence, but also promotes their creativity, perseverance and sense of community. The teaching of craft skills is part of the curriculum in science classes and includes topics such as sustainability and upcycling, as shown on stiftungbildung.org is reported.

Overall, the different approaches taken at both teacher and student level illustrate how important the acquisition of technical skills and knowledge is in the modern educational landscape.