SWING CAMPUS (SWING CAMPUS)
Third party funded individual grant
Acronym: SWING CAMPUS
Start date : 01.12.2024
End date : 31.05.2027
Website: https://www.swing.infoproject.eu/
Project details
Short description
The SWING CAMPUS project builds on the two predecessor projects SWING and SWING 2.0 and aims to raise awareness of inclusion and to eliminate communication barriers in schools. By integrating a foundational sign language vocabulary (LIS, LSE, DGS, ÖGS, IS) into university teacher training, the project proactively supports equal opportunities for pupils with hearing disabilities.
The project's goals include raising awareness among future teachers about the needs of pupils with hearing disabilities, providing foundational sign language knowledge in teacher training programmes, eliminating communication barriers in the school environment, and promoting equal opportunities and inclusion.
The project outcomes include reports on the most useful and frequently used words in the classroom, encompassing a general vocabulary as well as subject-specific terms and expressions in several languages: German, English, Italian, Spanish, as well as in the sign languages DGS (German Sign Language), LIS (Italian Sign Language), LSE (Spanish Sign Language), ÖGS (Austrian Sign Language), and IS (International Sign). Within the framework of SWING CAMPUS, the 500 most important words for implementation in sign language will be selected. Our online video dictionary platform will be further developed to provide both sign languages and spoken languages to enhance communication. Interactive learning tools will assist in practising the presented signs through digital flashcards and interactive elements, including e-learning-based simulations in practical application contexts. A user manual will offer comprehensive guidance on using the learning tools. Additionally, pilot tests will be conducted to evaluate the learning tools.
The target groups of the project include teacher trainees, pupils with and without hearing disabilities, students from other disciplines, educational institutions, and educational policymakers.
The project results will be made publicly accessible in the spirit of open access, allowing interested users to view and use the materials free of charge. In addition, the existing project website from the previous SWING initiatives will be further developed to present all outcomes and supporting materials in multiple languages.
Co-ordination
- FAU Kompetenzzentrum Lehre, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (Germany)
Consortium
- FAU Kompetenzzentrum Lehre, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (Germany)
- CETEM - Centro Tecnológico del Mueble y la Madera de la Región de Murcia (Spain)
- CEIPES - Centro Internazionale per la Promozione dell’Educazione e lo Sviluppo (Italy)
- Fakultätszentrum für Gebärdensprache und Hörbehindertenkommunikation, Alpen-Adria-Universität Klagenfurt (Austria)
- European Union of the Deaf Aisbl AISBL (Belgium)
Scientific Abstract
SWING CAMPUS is a strategic university cooperation project aimed at structurally embedding inclusion and multilingualism in teacher education. It addresses the curricular integration of sign languages as part of digitally supported, diversity-sensitive teaching formats. As the coordinating institution, the FAU Competence Center Education contributes its expertise in digital university teaching, accessible didactics and European project work.
The project also supports institutional profile development in the field of inclusive education and contributes to the advancement of digital infrastructures for teacher training. The materials and platforms developed are intended to be integrated into existing courses, academic staff development programmes, and cross-faculty initiatives. Collaboration with European partners enhances the international visibility and connectivity of FAU in the area of inclusive higher education development.