Quality Monitoring

Quality monitoring is a key element of the continuous optimisation of the Foundation’s work. It includes the regular and systematic collection of feedback on the professional development workshops and the pedagogic practices of the Foundation. Aspects monitored include the extent to which the offerings and resources are suitable for achieving the intended effects. The findings are used for the continuous quality development of the various formats.

Annual Spring Survey

The Annual Spring Survey is a survey of the key target groups of the Foundation’s multiplier model – namely, the network coordinators, who provide the organisational framework; the trainers, who deliver the professional development workshops; and the teachers and educators, who, jointly with the children, conduct inquiry-based activities at their institutions. Aspects covered by the questionnaire include satisfaction with the “Haus der kleinen Forscher” programme in general, and in particular with the Foundation and its offerings; the respondents’ self-perceived competence in relation to their own educational practice; their subjective understanding of their role; and their actual working conditions on site. The survey is designed as a census survey – that is, all the aforementioned stakeholders are invited to participate voluntarily – and it is conducted as an online survey. The results of the respective Spring Surveys are published annually in the form of a monitoring report. These reports are available on the Foundation’s website.

Feedback on the Professional Development Programme and Resources

All relevant offerings and formats of the Foundation undergo external review by users. Appropriate feedback systems are in place for the professional development workshops, the print products, films, magazines, e-learning offerings, and web pages. In particular, the acceptance, functionality, and practicality of the formats are assessed. The analyses of the evaluations serve as input for improvement processes within the framework of the Foundation’s internal quality management.

Accreditation of Multipliers and Training Observation

The selection of professional development trainers as multipliers takes place in a regulated, transparent, and systematic procedure. In addition to regularly organised exchanges of experiences, the further accompaniment of, and support for, accredited trainers is ensured, in particular, through training observation. The observation of training sessions serves to give the trainers personalised advice and to strengthen their pedagogic competence in a targeted manner. Moreover, the feedback received from the trainers in the context of the training observations is systematically used for improvement processes within the framework of the Foundation’s internal quality development.

Exchange of Practical Experience with Pilot Institutions

During the development phase, the practicability of new offerings and formats is collaboratively tested with the respective target groups under real-life conditions at the Foundation’s pilot institutions in Berlin and Brandenburg. The feedback from these institutions serves as input for improvement processes within the framework of the Foundation’s internal quality development.