"The dynamics of team learning processes, products and their determinants in the work of teachers at vocational schools"

Research into team learning has so far produced only a few studies that take into account temporal and multilevel aspects of learning in teams. Furthermore, there is a lack of insight into the affective and sociocognitive elements of relevant intra-team communication processes. This project aims to address these research gaps. Building on the integrative, systemic model of team learning, the project will examine the relationship between dynamic aspects of contextual factors and the dynamics of team learning processes, shared mental models and innovative work behaviour within innovation teams comprising vocational education and training teachers. Using a cross-sectional and a longitudinal field study, supplemented by a qualitative study (a combination of observations and video analyses), the aim is to clarify the relationship between contextual factors and team learning processes, as well as between team learning processes, shared mental models and the innovative working behaviour of innovation teams at vocational schools. By focusing on vocational education and training, the project addresses an area that has so far been under-represented in team learning research. Based on the results of the three studies, the plan is to develop an intervention programme to support vocational schools in promoting successful team learning and teamwork.