Aims of the research project
1) Information:
The first comprehensive overview of interdisciplinary, up-to-date, and scientifically validated educational programs in the field of “color”
2) Dialogue forum
Networking of internal and external instructors (feedback for adapting and expanding content and structures, discussion forum on didactic questions, presentation, awarding and dissemination of excellent teaching offerings throughout the German-speaking world, cooperation with the existing network of all centers for practical teacher training in creative disciplines)
3) Teaching Materials
Free provision of up-to-date, practice-oriented, scientifically validated teaching materials in the form of exercises, worksheets, educational videos, educational games, and interactive demonstrations. Design and evaluation of teaching materials and learning strategies within the framework of interdisciplinary collaborations.
4) Needs Assessment and Further Development
Assessment of continuing education needs based on demand and feedback regarding course offerings. Development of high-quality continuing education programs in the form of seminars and training sessions, e.g., as part of certified vocational training and continuing education programs.
5) Integrating subject-specific disciplines and educational sciences with professional practice
Utilizing and further developing the platform as part of teacher education at BUW. Collaboration among subject-specific disciplines, e.g., design, architecture, art, physics, chemistry, German studies, etc.
6) Networking
With the Master of Education FRO and MD programs at BUW in the Department of Design, this institution is already home to the nation’s largest center for vocational teacher training in the field of color, maintaining connections with all other educational institutions and centers for school teacher training. Since 2012, BUW has been home to the “German Color Center – Central Institute for Color in Science and Design” (for more than 50 years, the largest German-language knowledge network in the field of color and organizer of the world’s largest interdisciplinary conferences on color).
7. Improving the Quality of Teacher Education and Instruction
The eDidaktik platform “Farbe” creates a unique forum that transcends school types, learning locations, and subject areas for student teachers, subject-matter experts, subject-specific pedagogues, educational researchers, and practicing teachers. The teaching materials, which are available for free download or for online demonstration and use, are designed to facilitate and support classroom instruction, courses, seminars, experiments, demonstrations, and practical trials.
Quality Assurance
All teaching materials are reviewed and certified by experts with proven academic and practical expertise, and user feedback plays a crucial role in quickly adapting the materials to the specific needs of teachers and learners.
Accessibility and Easy Navigation
The eDidaktik platform “Farbe” offers introductory and advanced courses for various user groups, who can quickly and easily find suitable teaching materials for their target audience thanks to the navigation system’s outstanding functional and aesthetic design.
Learning media
In addition to teaching materials, educational films, games, and interactive demonstrations can be used in the classroom to convey complex topics. Teachers can select materials according to the learners’ needs, as recommendations for prior knowledge and further study are provided for each exercise, enabling systematic planning of selected individual topics or related subject areas. In the future, the online and free learning modules and films will be supplemented with traditional classroom sessions to also provide opportunities for practical learning.
Link to the color.education platform
Contact Research Group
Prof. Dr. Axel Buether
University of Wuppertal // Department of Design and Art // Didactics of Visual Communication
Gaußstraße 20 // 42119 Wuppertal
Partners
German Color Center – Central Institute for Color in Science and Design
House of Color Zurich – Vocational School for Design in Crafts and Architecture
RAL Colors – RAL German Institute for Quality Assurance and Marking e. V.
HTWK University of Applied Sciences and Arts Hildesheim/Holzminden/Göttingen
Zurich University of the Arts Color-Light Center Zurich
Center for Media Competence at the University of Tübingen
Dresden Color Collection
