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Digitale Drehtür Hessen

The project "Digitale Drehtür Hessen" is a cross-state educational initiative aimed at fostering students' talents through online programs. To this end, a platform called the "Digitale Drehtür Campus" is operated, where learners can register free if charge to participate in both synchronous and asynchronous learning opportunities. The guiding concept of the project is the revolving door model. The idea originates from Joseph S. Renzullin, who, together with Sally M. Reis and Linda H. Smith, developed the Enrichment Triad Model or Revolving Door Model during the 1970s and 1980s. In addition, the Digitale Drehtür builds on current research by Silvia Greiten and others. This research shows that allowing freedom for self-directed and autonomous leaning enables children and adolescents to discover their potential and develop in line with their strengths and abilities. Accordingly, the offerings of the Digitale Drehtür usually take place in addition to, and ideally interwoven with, regular classroom instructions. 

In cooperation with the Hessian Ministry of Education and Opportunity (HMKB) and Justus Liebig University Gießen (JLU), the talent diagnostics and counseling center (BRAIN) at Philipps University Marburg (UMR) has made significant contributions to the development and ongoing advancement of this initiative since 2022. Meanwhile, in Hessen alone, more than 350 partner schools now have access through this initiative to learning and support programs aimed at implementing individualized talent and performance development for students - from primary school to the various types of secondary and upper secondary education.

As part of the "self-Workshop" initiative, Philipps University Marburg (UMR) offers two course series aimed at promoting self-regulated learning skills ("Learning to Learn") as well as two course series focused on resilience building ("Mental Health" and "Inner Strength"). In doing so, the university contributes to the improvement of mental health among children and adolescents in schools. In addition, Justus Liebig University Gießen (JLU) provides a wide range of courses in Biology, German, Art, Mathematics, and General Studies. Step by step, further offerings from other federal states and additional institutions are being added.