Inclusion is a human right. The Technical University of Munich (TUM) engages itself in various ways for the participation of individuals with handicaps or chronic illnesses. This topic, for example, is discussed in teaching courses. Dr. Daniela Schwarz and Elke Langbein from the Department of Sport and Health Sciences were distinguished with the Ernst Otto Fischer Award of the TUM for their seminar on "Inclusive Teaching and Learning". The honor was awarded by the TUM Vice President Prof. Dr. Gerhard Mueller and TUM Prof. Dr. Pascal Berberat. With this prize, innovative and successful training projects are distinguished annually.
Inclusive training event with people suffering from mental restrictions
"We are very happy to see that our concept has been honored through this great distinction. This documents how important the topic of inclusion is to the TUM," Dr. Schwarz is happy to say. The seminar "Inclusive Education and Learning" addresses itself to students at the Department of Sport and Health Sciences and, in particular, to students active in the teaching profession. "The contents are compiled by students together with individuals who demonstrate mental restrictions and special needs, and then tried out in practice. Goal here is to attain a further development in the students' capabilities as creative and conscientious multiplicators and to thereby enable them to recognize and solve the societal demands for a healthy and sporty way of life using targeted strategies and measures, as well as through active commitment," explains Dr. Schwarz. For example, future teachers learn how this group can be included and which contents and in which form they can be realizable.
For this seminar, the TUM cooperates with Special Olympics Bavaria and Special Olympics Germany. These are the umbrella organizations for athletes with mental restrictions. During every hour, ever more Special Olympics Athletes will be participating.
Promotion by the Bavarian State Ministry for Science and the Arts & the European Institute of Innovation and Technology
The significance of the event is well recognized, even beyond the TUM. Thus, the Bavarian State Ministry for Science and the Arts will provide Langbein and Schwarz with promotion for their work and scientific support through a 75% position over the course of three semesters until the end of 2020. In addition, the European Union, through the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, will support a Summer School to the tune of €80,000.
In the project, the TUM is cooperating with Trinity College of Dublin - one of Europe's highest-ranked universities. For students from Ireland as well as the Department of Sport and Health Sciences, the concept will be offered as a Summer School. "In addition, we will compare teaching concepts and develop them anew or further. The basic framework consists of didactical principles as well as health-related and entrepreneurial actions," describes Schwarz. For this, ten Special Olympics Athletes and a total of twenty students will spend one week in Ireland and one week in Munich.
To the Homepage of the Ernst Otto of Fischer Educational Award
To the Homepage von Special Olympics Bavaria
Information on the Summer School
Contact:
Dr. Daniela Schwarz
Department Management, Department of Sport and Health Sciences
Georg-Brauchle-Ring 60/62
80992 Munich
Tel.: 089289 24537
Email: Daniela.Schwarz(at)tum.de
Elke Langbein
Department Management, Department of Sport and Health Sciences
Georg-Brauchle-Ring 60/62
80992 Munich
Tel.: 089 289 24474
Email: Elke.Langbein(at)tum.de
Text: Dr. Fabian Kautz
Photo: TUM