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Upcoming events

“Diversity orientation” refers “not only to the appreciation of the diversity of all people; rather, diversity-oriented approaches seek to critically reflect on socially constructed categories of difference, such as gender, class, or race,” according to literature educator Wiebke Dannecker. But what does this mean specifically for literature instruction? Starting with this central question, we explore the fundamentals of diversity-sensitive literature pedagogy in this teacher training program. Together, we will develop criteria for selecting appropriate literary texts, discuss specific teaching strategies, and reflect on our own thinking and language when dealing with diversity and difference.

 

  • Facilitators & Speakers: Prof. Dr. Jennifer Pavlik & Katharina Fichtner
  • Date: November 12, 2026, 3:00–6:00 p.m.
  • Location: University of Kassel
  • Registration deadline: October 31, 2026

 

Note: Dear participants, please read the novel “Rico, Oskar, and the Deep Shadows” by Andreas Steinhöfel in advance and bring a copy with you.

Past Training Sessions in 2026

How do I perceive myself in space? What signals does my body send - consciously or unconsciously? And how does my impact change when I vary my posture, expression or inner alignment? The workshop invites you to explore your own presence and effectiveness in a practical way. Through body-oriented exercises, scenic play and improvisation, spaces of experience are created in which modes of expression can be recognized and tested. We explore how facial expressions, gestures, posture and voice influence our own presence. Participants playfully expand their individual means of expression and reflect on their effect in contact with the group. The focus is on the search for an authentic posture and a conscious use of body and voice. In between there will also be a cozy break with coffee and cookies.


With this in mind, I look forward to getting to know you!

  • Leader & Speakers: Prof. Dr. Susanne Dreßler & Luisa Mell (University of Kassel)
  • Date: 23.06.2026, 15:15-17:15
  • Location: University of Kassel, Mönchebergstraße 1, Institute of Music, Great Hall
  • Registrations until 20.06.2026 at laetitia.voegtler[at]uni-kassel[dot]de

This 90-minute online workshop (language: English) demonstrates how teachers can use
—free, browser-based AI chatbots—as conversation partners to effectively, differentially, and inclusively promote oral interaction in English classes. The focus is on practical task formats (e.g., role-plays, information gaps, problem-solving), prompt design, scaffolding, and adaptations for heterogeneous learning groups (e.g., choices, linguistic supports, multimodal aids). We will also discuss opportunities and limitations and develop a ready-to-use mini-task template—including assessment guidelines (CEFR-aligned)—for brief oral performance feedback.


With that in mind, I’m very much looking forward to meeting you!

 

  • Facilitators & Presenters: Prof. Dr. Tanja Angelovska & Dr. Daria Gluhareva
  • Date: June 19, 2026, 2:00–3:30 p.m.
  • Location: online
  • Registration deadline: May 1, 2026

Immersive teaching and learning: virtual reality in teacher training (University of Kassel)

The event shows the potential and challenges of using virtual reality in teacher training and further education. Examples from virtual classrooms and school practice illustrate how VR simulations promote professional competence.

The event is part of the "Bildung.Digital.Denken - Balkongespräche zur Medienbildung" series, which combines scientific impulses, practical experience and exchange. The events are hybrid. A get-together is planned at the respective venues following the lecture.

The series is organized by: Justus Liebig University Giessen, Philipps University Marburg, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, University of Kassel, Technical University Darmstadt, Hessische Lehrkräfteakademie.

The public debate on Israel/Palestine in Germany is characterized by strong emotional polarization and accusations. For example, anyone who describes the Israeli war in the Gaza Strip as genocide is quickly confronted with accusations of anti-Semitism. This has a direct impact on the treatment of the topic in schools and other educational contexts. Teachers are often unsure how to deal with the social controversy of the topic.

In this workshop, participants will be given an introductory overview of current academic and political controversies surrounding various definitions of anti-Semitism and their consequences for the political debate. In addition, we will deal with historical, theoretical and empirical backgrounds with regard to the particularly controversial terms settler colonialism, apartheid state and genocide. The aim of the workshop is to enable teachers to reflect the social controversy surrounding Israel/Palestine in the classroom in accordance with the Beutelsbach Consensus.


With this in mind, I look forward to meeting you!

  • Leader & Speakers: Prof. Dr. Aram Ziai (University of Kassel, Department of Social Sciences) and Katja Vollbach (Freie Waldorfschule Kassel)
  • Date: 27.03.2026, 14:00-18:00 h
  • Location: University of Kassel, Holländischer Platz
  • Registration deadline until 23.03.2026

The increase in armed conflicts and their devastating effects, as well as the debate about the reintroduction of compulsory military service, have a direct impact on everyday school life. Pupils and teachers have been affected by war in many different ways: Some as refugees, others with close family ties to warring parties - many with a general concern about an increase in violence in Europe.
Tensions and insecurities in school interactions between pupils, teachers and parents are on the rise: Discussions are often charged and accompanied by fear, anger, insecurity or conflicts of loyalty. For many educators, the question arises as to how they can address these issues with objectivity, sensitivity and attitude.
There are also didactic challenges: How can complex international conflicts be analyzed and controversially discussed in an age-appropriate way? How can schools assert themselves as a place of political education and critical judgment even in times of war?
How can the democratic mission of peace education - in the sense of the Basic Law and the Charter of the United Nations - be reconciled with a social climate that is increasingly characterized by security needs, armament and the growing importance of the Bundeswehr?
The symposium "Education and upbringing in times of war" is aimed at teachers of all types of schools, school social workers, educational specialists, students, teachers and interested parties from educational administration and academia. It offers space for exchange, critical reflection and impulses for pedagogical and didactic options for action. At the heart of all workshops is the question: What specifically helps me in everyday school life?

  • Head: Nilda Inkermann
  • Speakers: tba
  • Dates: 18.02.2026, 09:00-16:00
  • Location: University of Kassel (Arnold-Bode-Straße 2, Room 0401)
  • Registration via the online form: https: //www.uni-kassel.de/einrichtung/zlb/informationen-fuer-lehrerinnen/anmeldung-zu-einem-fortbildungsangebot.html

VR Climate Expedition - Virtual Didactics

Our VR Climate Expedition conveys the key findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in an immersive and vivid way. Equipped with VR goggles and accompanied by an expert moderator, we embark on a virtual journey together to better understand the causes, mechanisms and consequences of climate change.
The use of virtual reality not only makes the complex topic visually more tangible, but also allows it to be experienced on an emotional level. The result is an impressive learning experience that makes scientific content understandable and accessible.
In 2025, the VR Climate Expedition received the German Award for Sustainability Projects in the Education and Training category.
The expedition is complemented by an interactive tour of the Witzenhausen Tropical Greenhouse and an exchange on possible applications of the method and content in the classroom.

Further information at: https://www.virtual-didactics.de/

  • Leader: Tony Lindenau (WeltGarten Witzenhausen)
  • Speakers: Irina Grebien, Virtual Didactics
  • Dates: 05.02.2026, 14:00-18:00 h
  • Location: Tropical greenhouse Witzenhausen

  • Registration at em.kohlmann@uni-kassel.de

In our increasingly digitalized world, the functional processes of the digital media we use every day are becoming increasingly difficult for most people to understand. Computer science is often perceived as a very complex subject that only a few people can understand. But that doesn't have to be the case! As part of this training course, you will therefore make your first, action-oriented and fun approaches to computer science, build up your own computer science skills, but also develop ideas for teaching a computer science mindset to primary school children and take away concrete concepts for everyday (subject) lessons.

Special prior knowledge in the field of computer science or in dealing with digital media is NOT required.

Participants learn about different approaches to basic computer science education, acquire knowledge about the various approaches and improve their skills in teaching initial computer science content in elementary school subject lessons.

Methodological design: Input phases, practical testing of different approaches, discussion of possible teaching concepts, reflection on practical implementation of the concepts discussed during the training.

 

  • Leader: Marc Heinemann
  • Lecturers: Marc Heinemann
  • Costs: Free of charge
  • Registration until 15.01.2026 (please indicate your type of school)

  • Dates:

    1st event: 17.02.26, 14:00-17:00, Online

    2nd event: 17.03.26, 14:00-17:00, Uni Kassel (location Heinrich-Plett-Straße, AVZ)

    3rd event: 14.04.26, 14:00-17:00, Online

    4th event: 19.05.26, 14:00-17:00, Uni Kassel (location Heinrich-Plett-Straße, AVZ)

    5th event: 16.06.26, 14:00-17:00, Uni Kassel (location Heinrich-Plett-Straße, AVZ)

You will find further training opportunities here shortly.
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