Between September 2018 and August 2019 researchers at the Leibniz Institute for Educational Media | Georg Eckert Institute (GEI) studied workshops provided within the Healing Classrooms scheme, as part of a pilot study by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) to analyse how the integration of refugee children and young people, especially in education, is being supported. These workshops trained teaching staff and educators how to create a secure learning environment and how to bolster pupils’ social and emotional skills. The objective was to provide learning conditions that facilitate the attainment of a German school leaving certificate and enable full participation in society.
The pilot study provided initial indications regarding the implementation and reception of the Healing Classrooms approach and of the practical application of the material in classrooms. The project was conducted by the following steps:
- During the project the IRC organised 10 half-day workshops for teachers and educators. These were aimed both at new groups of learners, taking part in a Healing Classrooms workshop for the first time, and also at those who have already participated in introductory workshops and wished to enhance their existing knowledge.
- The GEI conducted ethnographic research based on observation of workshop participants. The participating teaching staff were interviewed up to three times in individual and focus group interviews with respect to their requirements, expectations and goals, as well as their experiences of practically implementing in the classroom the knowledge and skills learnt in the workshops. In order to achieve this, the interviews were conducted prior to the workshops as well as some time afterwards.
- The teaching materials used in the workshops, which are designed to complement lessons for refugee children and young people, were compiled and systematically analysed.
