The course “Experiencing Teambuilding: A Practical Approach for Future Educators” was offered to 12 Erasmus incoming students from Spain and Switzerland and provided a practice-oriented introduction to teambuilding in educational settings. The course was led by Prof. Heiko Haas-Vogl MA BEd, lecturer at the University College of Teacher Education Styria.

Course Concept and Content

The course combined theoretical foundations with experiential learning, allowing students to understand group dynamics not only on a conceptual level but also through concrete action and reflection. A central theoretical framework was Bruce Tuckman’s five-phase model of team development: Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing and Adjourning. These phases were explored through practical exercises, group discussions and real-life scenarios relevant to educational practice.

Key components of the course included:

• Icebreaker games and energizers to initiate and support group processes
• Practical teambuilding methods for international and inclusive educational settings
• Reflection on group dynamics and pedagogical interventions for each phase of team development
• Outdoor and experiential education approaches to foster cooperation, trust and communication

No prior knowledge was required, which made the course accessible to students with diverse academic and personal backgrounds. By the end of the course, students were able to Apply teambuilding methods as future teachers in international and multicultural learning environments

Learning Locations

The practical parts of the course took place at two inspiring learning environments in Styria:

• Boulderhalle Newton in Graz
• Climbing Hall of the Austrian Alpine Club in Mixnitz

Both locations provided ideal conditions for experiential learning, physical challenges and cooperative tasks. The outdoor and movement-based activities enabled students to experience teambuilding through action, shared responsibility and mutual support.

Student Voices

Silvia: “[…] enjoyed doing this outdoor activity with my classmates, as we were able to take part in group activities that strengthened our confidence in each other.”

Paula: “I really enjoyed this course because it helped us learn in a practical and collaborative way while working closely with our classmates.”

The course demonstrated how teambuilding can be effectively taught through experiential learning, reflection and meaningful interaction. By linking theory with outdoor and practical methods, the course supported future educators in developing key competences for creating positive, inclusive and collaborative learning environments across cultures and educational systems.