Mission Statement on Teaching at School I - School of Educational and Social Sciences

Preamble:

School I - School of Educational and Social Sciences at the University of Oldenburg is committed to the UN 2030 Agenda and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It is mindful of its socio-political responsibility and aims to contribute to sustainable development and inclusive education through its study programmes and teaching. In the spirit of an open university, it is particularly committed to education for all (Sustainable Development Goal 4). Its educational programmes are designed to be inclusive, equitable and of high quality, and to facilitate lifelong learning.

The School fosters and develops a comprehensive understanding of diversity and equal opportunities. This involves recognising the diversity of its members and the variety of their beliefs and lifestyles, and viewing this as an opportunity and an asset for the university as a whole. Unreserved respect for all its members (regardless, for example, of ethnic origin, gender, religion or beliefs, disability, age or sexual identity) is an integral part of its identity.

Objectives:

All members of School I - School of Educational and Social Sciences are committed to the aim of facilitating education through scholarship. All teaching staff, support staff and students are expected to devote the necessary time and due care to ensuring the success of university teaching, whilst treating one another with respect and observing the guidelines for good academic practice.

Knowledge emerges from diverse processes of thought, exchange and discussion between teaching staff and learners. Direct, close contact and personal exchange between students and teaching staff are therefore regarded as essential for successful teaching and learning.

Study and teaching are geared towards students’ learning processes. In this context, students are recognised and challenged as autonomous and self-directed learners who independently manage and organise their own learning process. Lecturers support these processes through teaching and learning formats that are both academically and pedagogically rigorous, and remain open to input from students. Regular further education in higher education pedagogy supports this interaction between lecturers and students and contributes to the quality assurance and development of teaching.

The degree programmes offered by School I - School of Educational and Social Sciences – are accordingly designed to be research- and skills-oriented. Research-based teaching and learning formats are a defining feature of both the Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes. On the one hand, research-based learning imparts important skills in the analysis, methodological examination and critical reflection of issues. On the other hand, it equips students for academic work. School I - School of Educational and Social Sciences supports teaching staff in developing innovative teaching and learning formats, particularly in the context of the digitalisation of study and teaching. Courses on university teaching methodology contribute to the quality of teaching.

Lecturers undertake to align their courses with the current state of research in their respective subjects and with innovations in subject-specific teaching methods, and to impart both academic ways of thinking and working as well as subject-specific competences. Lecturers set out the learning objectives of their courses and the associated expectations transparently, and offer types of examination that are appropriate in terms of scope and depth. When designing their teaching, lecturers pay particular attention to the diversity of the student body and recognise this in a respectful manner.
Lecturers familiarise themselves with the university’s administrative procedures so that they can provide students with appropriate advice. Lecturers also play an active role in the further development of degree programmes.

Upon commencing their studies,students become part of the University of Oldenburg. They help to create an environment that celebrates diversity and is free from discriminatory behaviour. They are expected to take an active role in shaping their studies and to contribute constructively to teaching sessions. They reflect on their own learning progress as well as on effective and goal-oriented learning strategies. Their studies are part of an educational process that stimulates critical thinking and can challenge and transform their academic and reflective thinking. Students gain a comprehensive understanding of their degree programme, including its subject-specific and interdisciplinary challenges, and are familiar with the examination regulations relevant to their degree programme as well as the administrative requirements for successful study.

Technical and administrative staff carry outtheir duties in the planning, organisation and coordination of teaching in a responsible manner and play an active role in ensuring the quality of teaching. They undertake to support the planning, implementation and evaluation of teaching and learning programmes by providing the necessary time, space and material resources, and to support processes relating to degree programme and curriculum development.

Mission Statement for Teaching (PDF version)