A More Perfect Union

Abstract

The article reports on the conceptual approach of two seminars in the Department of Physics at Heidelberg’s University of Education. One seminar prepares students for interdisciplinary topics from the perspective of physics. The corresponding seminar, which is placed in the same module, prepares students to independently prepare excursions didactically and organizationally. Due to a loose cooperation stimulated by students of both seminars, the idea arose to coordinate both seminars conceptually more closely. A Harkness format is proposed in which students of both seminars in a discourse format can decisively influence the orientation and the topics as well as the methods and open up specialist contents on the basis of specialist texts and experiments introduced by the lecturer. The planning of excursions to out-of-school learning locations is also integrated into the discourse process with certain framework conditions. Harkness sessions of both seminars can take place together and also allow for a technical, didactic integration of both seminar contents. The seminars are reflected on the background of constructivist and connectivist learning theories allowing for new perspectives towards university education.