Ziele
The integration of all students, regardless of their origin, abilities and needs, is one of the main focus points in the conception of the "Neue Mittelschule" (new secondary school) in Austria (BMUKK 2012). However, recent research has shown that social integration/inclusion remains one of the main challenges in schools, as students report stigmatization and bullying.
"Inclusive Spaces" tries to tackle this problem. Building on the "insider perspectives" of students, we try to generate knowledge that contributes to foster social cohesion and "successful inclusion" in schools. Social space theory provides the framework for our research.
Implementation
The first phase of "Inclusive Spaces" consists of research projects at three new secondary schools in Vienna, conducted with students of so-called "integration classes" (Integrationsklassen). At each school, an open discussion of different aspects of inclusion marks the starting point of the project. At the next stage, students learn about the basics of participatory research and methods. Students are encouraged to conduct their own research projects in different social spaces of their schools, supported by academic researchers. Results will be presented in science clips, vignettes and quizzes. In addition to the perspective of students, teachers are interviewed on their perceptions of social inclusion and asked to draw their own social maps of their school environments.
The second phase is dedicated to an in-depth analysis of the results and materials produced in the first phase. Teams – including researchers, professors of teacher colleges and teachers – transform the gathered insights into learning materials to be inducted into teacher education.
Partnership:
Loughborough University (UK), The Open University (UK), NTNU – Norwegian University of Science and Technology (N), Ludwig Boltzmann Institut für Menschenrechte (AT), ÖZEPS – Österreichisches Zentrum für Persönlichkeitsbildung und soziales Lernen (AT), Pädagogische Hochschule Wien (AT), Universität Wien, Institut für Bildungswissenschaft (AT), Verein „Gemeinsam Leben – Gemeinsam Lernen – Integration Wien“ (AT), NMS Anton-Sattler-Gasse (AT), NMS/JHS Konstanziagasse (AT), ONMS Max Winter Platz (AT)
