490134 PS School Worlds (2025S)

Goals
In the Proseminar “Schulwelten: Classroom Management,” students acquire theoretical, practical, and research methodological competencies in the field of classroom management, which is considered a central dimension of teaching quality. Classroom management includes strategies and techniques that contribute to creating a productive learning environment, building trust, preventing disruptions, cognitively activating learners, and actively engaging them in the learning process. In this course, students are introduced to the scientific foundations of this field and trained in applying these insights in school practice.

Content and Methods
The course content is divided into three main areas:
Theoretical Foundations:
Students receive an introduction to essential models and theories of classroom management as a critical element of teaching quality. Key insights from educational science and school effectiveness research are explored, particularly concerning the creation of a positive and stimulating classroom climate, effective prevention and management of classroom disruptions, and the cognitive activation of learners.

Practical Orientation:
As part of the course, students participate in a professional development program for teachers on “Classroom Management,” where concrete classroom management techniques are practiced. Additionally, students conduct classroom observations in a successful Viennese school, applying participant observation methods to analyze real teaching situations.

Research Methodological Competencies:
The combination of theoretical and practice-oriented approaches is supplemented by a focus on research methods. Students enhance their skills in applying qualitative empirical methods, particularly through conducting and analyzing interviews and compiling observation protocols. These data form the basis for developing their Proseminar paper.

Content and Methods
By closely linking theory, practical application, and empirical research methods, students gain profound insights into real classroom situations and learn to systematically analyze them in relation to theoretical concepts. The practice-oriented design of the course fosters inquiry-based learning, preparing students to contribute scientifically sound insights to discussions on teaching quality and classroom management. Moreover, it empowers them to actively work on developing their own classroom management strategies.