Some can't concentrate long enough, others have a learning disability, others are acquiring several languages at the same time: teaching children with different needs to learn to read in a differentiated way is a major challenge for teachers. The LeSeDi doctoral programme, which is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education, is using digital technologies to develop diagnostic tools and individualised support materials to make school easier for both pupils and teachers.
"We are initially developing tools to assess children's abilities," explains project manager Barbara Gasteiger-Klicpera. The researchers are also testing specially created methods and materials that can best support primary school pupils in their learning. These will be made freely available online.
The close networking of the three institutions - University of Graz, University College of Teacher Education Styria and Private University College of Teacher Education Augustinum - facilitates the transfer of research results into practice and supports the professionalization of teachers. All six LeSeDi sub-projects will produce a dissertation, which will be supervised by researchers from several institutions.
Stronger together
There is also close cooperation with the universities of teacher education in the area of teacher training. By joining forces, prospective secondary school teachers should be better equipped for the profession. To this end, training has been comprehensively reformed in recent years. The Center for Teacher Education bundles and coordinates studies and research activities.