Digitally-Supported Inclusive Vocational Education

In view of current media and societal developments it appears necessary to consider inclusion in vocational education with regard to digital media. Digital media is often referred to as having a great impact on equal and successful participation in education and social life, with particular emphasis on providing access for people with disabilities. However, the central importance of digital media for inclusion in vocational education has neither been given sufficient attention in theory development and empirical studies, nor in design approaches for educational practice. The paper starts from this research gap and attempts to rethink inclusion, vocational education and digital media in a new theoretical and conceptual approach. It deals with the central question of how digital media can support people with disabilities in vocational education and promote inclusive vocational learning in the workplace. For this purpose, it presents first interim results of a research project, in which innovative concepts for digitally-supported inclusive vocational education are currently being developed and tested, using the hotel and restaurant industry as an example. More precisely, conceptual ideas for inclusive vocational learning with digital media tools will be discussed with regard to theoretical approaches on inclusive didactics, vocational education, media didactics and inclusive media education. It has already become clear that it will be essential to find a balance between institutional or professional requirements, didactic principles of inclusive learning and media-related opportunities for support in this context.