DigiSeB
Digital Learning of People with Visual Impairments in Vocational Reintegration (DigiSeb)
Digitalization in the area of vocational training is a highly topical und strongly discussed field of research. Numerous innovative design options are currently being developed within the vocational rehabilitation in order to accompany people with impairments during their vocational integration. However, limits have to be considered, too, e. g. in the context of pedagogical matter or peer contacts. The extent to which digital learning in the field of vocational reintegration can be important and how this could be concretely designed is the subject of the DigiSeB project, which is carried out in cooperation with the Berufsförderungswerk Würzburg gGmbH (BFW Würzburg).
The BFW Würzburg (https://www.bfw-wuerzburg.de) addresses a specific target group: people with blindness and visual impairments. Assistive technologies have always been of special importance to them. As one of four vocational promotion institutions in Germany, the location in Würzburg offers a centralized solution to questions of vocational reintegration for this group of people. The comprehensive realization of the rehabilitation task shall be strived by concentrating professional expertise and providing complete care for this target group. However, people affected often desire regional assistance services. The importance of rehabilitation close to home regarding to the success of rehabilitation, the importance of social space orientation for the subsequent return to working life and the demand for participation according to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities require a strengthening of diversification and decentralisation. The BFW Würzburg responds to this concern with a comprehensive e-learning-offer on the basis of an integrated teaching concept via blended learning. Results of learning are to be optimized and the needs for a location close to home are to be met by combining support by tele-coaches during online-phases as well as exchange of experiences and personal support in presence phases. Due to the Covid-19-pandemic the BFW Würzburg was challenged to stop retrainings in face-to-face form and to enable increasingly digital learning.
The activities of BFW Würzburg concerning digital teaching and learning formats of vocational rehabilition have been significantly expanded during the current situation. They will be scientifically evaluated over a period of 18 months by the Chair of Special Education V at the University of Würzburg in order to optimize this offer step by step, but at the same time also generate further impulses for the possible development of rehabilitation forms close to home. The focus is on recording the quality of structure, process and outcoming of digital learning offers under special consideration of the individual developments of the participants.
The following research questions are at the centre of attention:
- What special needs does the target group of rehabilitants with visual impairment have concerning digital learning formats in the context of vocational rehabilitation?
- Which structural conditions for digital learning have been created so far by BFW Würzburg in order to enable successful vocational rehabilitation?
- Which process-oriented conditions for digital learning – especially concerning an didactic-methodological as well as reha-pedagogical concept – have been created so far by BFW in order to enable successful vocational rehabilitation?
- Which individual rehabilitation courses can be identified in the context of the digital learning conditions?
- Which consequences result from the findings of the evaluation with regard to the conceptual development of digital learning formats, but also of vocational rehabilitation? According to the scientific insights the research team expects far-reaching impetus in respect of digital learning formats, which are important and have an inspiring effect on other fields of action of vocational rehabilitation and promotion of the disadvantaged of different target groups.
Term: 01.09.2020 – 28.02.2022
Funding institution: BFW Würzburg gGmbH
Research unit:
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Roland Stein
Hans-Walter Kranert, Academic Council
Niklas Engelhardt, academic staff
Contact:
Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg
Faculty of Human Sciences
Institute for Special Education
Chair of Special Education V
Wittelsbacherplatz 1
97074 Würzburg
phone: +49 (0)931/31-86111
hans-kranert@uni-wuerzburg.de
