Germany - Hessen Listing
Germany is a federal republic consisting of sixteen federal states. All decisions regarding educational policies are made by the state ministries of education within the scope of federal regulations.
Depending on which state, Digital Literacy is referred to as Informationstechnische Grundbildung, Informations- und kommunikationstechnische Grundbildung, or Medienkunde. Informatics is always referred to as Informatik.
| Data Mode | Data Value | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Data Availability | Data available |
The data for all German states has been derived from public documents of the Federal Ministries of Education and from I.Starruss' thesis "Analyse der informatischen Bildung an allgemein bildenden Schulen auf der Basis der im Jahr 2010 gültigen Lehrpläne und Richtlinien". |
| Informatics: First Contact | Higher Secondary |
Informatics can be chosen as an elective in middle secondary school. However, there does not exist a core curriculum, so each school is at liberty to decide which informatics classes (if any) to offer. |
| Informatics: Availability of Courses | Yes |
In all German states, Informatics can be taken as an elective course in high school. |
| Informatics: Curriculum Consistency | State |
The core curriculum consists of the following mandatory modules: "Internet", "Fundamentals of Programming", "Object-Oriented Modelling", "Database Systems", and "Theoretical Computer Science". In the last semester, an optional topic can be chosen. If informatics is studied with a special focus, abstract data types and analysis of algorithms are covered as well. |
| Informatics: Enrolment | less than 10% |
Not offered; see this page (in German). |
| Digital Literacy: First Contact | Lower Secondary |
Digital literacy (or even the computer as such) is not part of the curriculum for primary schools. |
| Digital Literacy: A Separate Subject? | Integrated |
Digital literacy is taught as an integrated subject in grades 5 and 6. Pupils can optionally get certifications such as the "European Computer Driving License". |
| Digital Literacy: Curriculum Consistency | State |
The core curriculum consists of the following seven modules: "Foundations of Information Technology", "Using an Operating System", "Using a Word Processor", "Using a Spreadsheet Program", "Using a Database Application", "Creating a Presentation", and "Information and Communication". |
| Digital Literacy: Enrolment | all students |
Digital Literacy is taught as an integrated course; see this document (jn German). |
| Teacher Training: Special Qualifications | Special qualifications |
"The system of teacher education in Germany consists of two mandatory parts: in part one, prospective teachers study two subjects at the university (e.g., CS and mathematics), corresponding domain-specific education and pedagogy, as well as general education, pedagogy, and learning sciences [...]. After their graduation from university, they then enroll in in-service training (“Referendariat”), which lasts 18 months. The in-service training finishes with a state examination that provides a teaching license in the two subjects studied and admits the graduates to the teaching profession." [Knobelsdorf et al., 2015], Section 3.1. Depending on the state and district, fast-track entries to the teaching professions for trained professionals may be possible. |
| Teacher Training: Number of Subjects | 2 |
See this document (in German) of the "Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany". |
| Teacher Training: Entry Requirement | M.Ed. / M.Sc. + pgc. |
See Sec. 3.2 of this document (in German) of the "Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany". |
| Teacher Training: In-Service Length | 19-24 months | |
| Teacher Training: Stand-alone Digital Literacy Curriculum | No |
See this document (in German) of the "Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany". |
| Teacher Training: Stand-alone Informatics Curriculum | Yes |
See this document (in German) of the "Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany". |
| Teacher Training: Typical Path Availability | Yes |
See Appendix II.1 of this document (in German) of the "Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany". |
| Teacher Training: Professionals as Teachers | (Yes) |
See this page (in German). |
| Teacher Training: Professional Experience | No |
See Sec. 3.2 of this document (in German) of the "Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany". |
| Teacher Training: Mathematics Teachers | No |
See this page (in German). |
| Teacher Training: Physics Teachers | No |
See this page (in German). |
| Teacher Training: Business Teachers | No |
See this page (in German). |
| Teacher Training: Engineering Teachers | No |
See this page (in German). |
| Teacher Training: Teachers from other Disciplines | No |
See this page (in German). |
| Teacher Training: Security of Employment | Tenure |
All teachers have tenure (derived from Article 33.4 of the German Constitution (translation)), though 20-25% do not have civil servant status. |
| Educational Policies | State | |
| Learning Objectives | State |