Adaptive learning support as a key element of innovative teaching in Germany

This chapter explores the challenges and research topics surrounding innovative teaching in German-speaking countries, focusing on adaptive teaching to address the diverse needs of students in increasingly heterogeneous classrooms. The German school system promotes inclusive classrooms and a positive diversity climate, but teachers often struggle to balance multiple demands. These include (a) teaching subject-specific skills, (b) fostering transversal competencies, and (c) adapting instruction to individual learners’ needs for their optimal development. Adaptive learning, rooted in European pedagogical traditions, emphasizes personalized instruction and the teaching-learning dialogue, centring on each student. This chapter outlines the key features of adaptive learning support and examines the difficulties of implementing these strategies compared to more traditional, teacher-centred approaches.