What does ValiDE stand for?
The project “Values in democracy education – enhancing competencies and beliefs of teacher students through a joint study program (ValiDE)” recognizes the need to strengthen primary school teachers´ ability to handle the social, cultural and religious diversity of values in the classroom and to expand their competence in teaching and promoting democratic values, right from the initial phase of teacher education.
Project information
The idea of ValiDE
The project answers to the need to strengthen democracy education in primary schools on the level of initial primary school teacher education. It serves to enhance future teachers’ competencies to deal with social, cultural, religious and hence values diversity in the classroom and foster democratic values at the same time. For this target, three university departments of pedagogic science (located in Germany, Poland and Norway) and three local NGOs are working together, in order to create a substantial and innovative, long-lasting cooperation.
In a three-year implementation-period a student exchange between the three European Universities (University of Education Weingarten/Germany, University of the National Education Commission, Krakow/Poland and University of Agder/Norway) is set up for further continuation.
Inspired by the idea of "World Ethics" (Global Ethics Foundation, Tübingen/Germany), enriched by educational concepts for peace and human rights (Arkivet, Kristiansand/Norway) and complemented by the vision of harmony in a democratic society (ProHarmonia, Kielce/Poland) the program intends to shape the students' competencies on values education in primary schools using a multilevel approach.
The teacher student training consists of workshops, visits to the project-partners and practical insight into primary schools in each nation. The participants collaborate with students from the partner universities on questions of educational science regarding democratic values education.
The output of the program comprises a detailed exchange course description and a collection of didactic material ready for use in primary schools.
The project is also subject of two research interests: (1) What national curricular and strategic differences in values education policies can be found? (2) In what respect do the students show changes in beliefs, attitudes and competencies regarding values education in due course of the exchange program?
Project goals
PR1 value education – analysis of strategy papers and curricula
The project's first outcome is a comprehensive study and analysis of strategy papers and curricula related to value education, aiming to identify the needs and requirements for value education in teacher education and schools. The analysis examines the implementation of value education for democracy in participating countries' school systems and contributes to a better understanding of democratic value education across Europe.
PR2 development of teacher students’ value attitudes – an empirical study
The study aims to gather empirical data on future teachers' perspectives and attitudes towards democratic values and their role as educators in that context. It also seeks to develop an assessment tool for evaluating value education programs in teacher education. The study involves an online questionnaire administered to participating teacher students and a control group, with each university contributing their expertise in researching beliefs and value attitudes of teachers.
PR3 teaching materials on values education in primary school
The project aims to create teaching materials for primary school teachers that focus on values education. These materials provide didactic approaches and resources for integrating values education across various subjects, while also addressing societal and cultural backgrounds. The project actively involves teacher students in the development process and emphasizes the use of digital resources, including interactive elements and virtual/augmented reality, to promote innovative ideas.
PR4 Study course to foster teacher students’ value attitudes and didactic competencies
The project partners collaborate to develop a modular and adaptable study course focused on increasing participants' self-awareness of their values and competence in teaching democratic values in primary schools. The course includes a seminar with twelve units and a three-week exchange phase, providing workshops, NGO collaborations, and school visits. It aims to encourage cooperative reflection among participants, with two workshops facilitating input, reflection tasks, and the development of individual solutions.
Project duration
01.02.2022 – 31.01.2025
Interested?
If you recognize the importance of values and democracy education in primary and secondary schools and feel that you have had limited exposure to this topic during your studies, we offer students of our three universities an opportunity to advance professional competence in this field.
You can already find initial impressions of the 2022 exchange and a second video (which serves as project result), produced during the exchange, on the YouTube channel YOUni. Videos of the 2023 students exchange are coming soon.
Students of the UEW can find further information in the moopaed course ‘ValiDE Student Exchange’.
Community of practice
We are pleased to present our project outcomes, which are divided into three main areas: learning and teaching materials, publications, and events. In the learning and teaching materials section, you will find valuable resources to enhance your teaching practice. Explore our latest publications that delve into the findings of our project. Join our events to engage, collaborate, and expand your knowledge. Feel free to connect with our project team for further networking opportunities.
ValiDE privacy policy
Our ValiDE privacy policy is structured as follows:
- General information about the research project "ValiDE"
- Information about the data processing (data protection declaration)
- Declaration of consent
The ValiDE privacy policy is available in English and German.