In the Research Methods division, we also carry out projects with direct practical applications, particularly in the areas of inclusive school development and continuing education research.

 

Inclusive School Development

The project “Bielefeld Continuing Education Concept for Cooperation in Inclusive Schools” (BiFoKi) produced a practical handbook that enables practitioners to implement the continuing education program developed in the project. The handbook is freely available here, and the training materials can be found here.

In the teams project (“Transfer and Evidence-Based Adaptation of Infrastructure Pool Models in the Field of School Assistance—A Research-Practice Project for the Implementation and Expansion of the Model, Supported by Proven Practice and Continuing Education Concepts for Inclusive School Development”) we are adapting the BiFoKi modules as well as the professional development and continuing education modules from the “Online Learning Inklusiv” (olei) series, developed by the research groups of Prof. Thomas Hennemann and Prof. Charlotte Hanisch, which are freely available here for teachers in North Rhine-Westphalia. The goal is to develop continuing education and professional development programs to support collaboration between teachers and systemic school support staff.

We also occasionally contribute our expertise on multiprofessional collaboration in inclusive schools through workshops and professional development programs designed for practical application. For example, in September 2026, we organized a symposium on inclusion for the City of Cologne.

 

Motivation & Lifelong Learning

In the field of continuing education research, we are working on the MoveIn@VHS project to promote motivation in adult education center (VHS) courses. A brochure summarizing the findings is being produced for VHS centers; participating VHS centers will also receive an individualized analysis of the data collected from them.