Applying Movie and Multimedia to the Inclusive Learning and Teaching in Germany: Problems and Solutions

The focus of the study is on the didactic and methodological implementation of inclusive education through multimedia with a focus on film. The data was provided by teachers using media in their lessons incorporating inclusive forms of learning. The whole project consisted of phase I and II. The educational homepage “Planet School” by the public broadcaster WDR was used as an example. For this purpose, different types of schools worked with “Planet School” in inclusive education. Using guidelines based on the findings of the first phase, the public broadcasting organization WDR made four films for use in geography lessons, as well as additional media and materials for inclusive education. The focus of phase II is on the didactic and methodological implementation of inclusive education using film as a medium. The question is examined: How successfully can pupils learn using films and materials designed using inclusion guidelines? The existing films and materials were tested by eight inclusive classes. Based on these tests, an understanding of how media should be designed to acquire knowledge in inclusive education was achieved. The results of data analysis underline the relative satisfaction of students and teachers. The systematic comparison of the different data sources was made along deductively and inductively developed categories. These example of a personalised learning with a blended learning platform show not only how media based education can enhance everybody’s ability to learn, but also that special education can be a key driver in proliferating media related learning.