Ersatzübungen

Ersatzübungen are substitute exercises used in education, training, and other structured learning environments to replace planned tasks when circumstances prevent their execution. They are intended to achieve the same or closely similar learning objectives as the original activity and to keep learners engaged and progressing.

Rationale: They provide continuity in instruction amid equipment failures, time constraints, or accessibility needs, and they enable teachers to differentiate or adapt tasks without sacrificing outcomes.

Design: An Ersatzübung should align with the learning goals, match the difficulty level, and be graded with a comparable rubric. It should be clearly labeled as a substitute and, if possible, offer multiple options to accommodate learners' needs. They can take different modalities: written problems, simulations, case studies, oral questioning, or practical tasks that require similar skills.

Examples: In a science class, a virtual experiment or data-analysis task can substitute for a hands-on procedure; in language classes, a listening or reading task can replace a speaking exercise; in physical education, a circuit workout can substitute for a planned sport activity.

Implementation and evaluation: Teachers should predefine substitutes in the syllabus, communicate substitutions to students, and ensure assessments measure the intended competencies. Feedback should focus on the same skills as the original task. Ersatzübungen work best when used as planned contingencies that preserve learning goals.