- Machine-translated
Completed project · 2018–2022
People and Logistics in Digitalisation Network
Problem statement: Current developments within Germany’s logistics sector, which is characterised by small and medium-sized enterprises, are leading to increased competitive pressure, resulting in a growing focus on automation and digitalisation strategies. The resulting internal and external networking of various stakeholders and work processes is leading, particularly in operational areas, to changing skill requirements and an increased need for further training among employees. Objective: As part of the BMBF funding scheme ‘Digital Media in Vocational Education and Training’, the MeLoDi project is developing an industry-specific networking platform for small and medium-sized transport and logistics companies. In addition to connecting companies, the focus is on sharing and integrating digital media into employees’ in-company continuing professional development.
Background and problem statement
Current developments in Germany’s logistics sector, which is dominated by small and medium-sized enterprises, are creating growing competitive pressure and increasingly leading to automation and digitalisation strategies. Digital technologies such as telematics systems, warehouse management tools and cloud-based dispatch software are fundamentally changing work organisation and job profiles, particularly in transport and warehousing. Employees must now be able to work with digital systems, coordinate networked processes and respond flexibly to continuous technological change. These changing requirements brought increased continuing training needs that many SMEs have so far been unable to address systematically. Practical, digitally supported learning opportunities that can be integrated directly into everyday company operations were lacking.
Against this background, the BMBF-funded MELODI project aimed to develop and test a digital networking and learning platform for SMEs in logistics. It focused on designing modular learning formats closely connected to the workplace, integrating them into company-based continuing training through media pedagogy, and building a cross-company network to promote exchange and the collaborative development of digital educational provision in the sector.
Research questions
How are work tasks, organisational models and competence requirements changing in digitalised working environments for employees in transport and warehousing?
Which forms of digital continuing training can be used to develop these competences?
Approach
MELODI pursued a design-oriented research approach with systematic participation by practice partners. A mixed-methods design combined qualitative expert interviews, case analyses of work processes and quantitative online surveys.
Analysis of companies’ starting conditions and sector-specific qualification needs provided the basis for developing three central digital learning formats:
A digital networking platform;
A virtual learning environment (VLE) with modular learning provision;
An escape room to promote problem-solving competence in simulation-based scenarios.
These formats were developed iteratively and tested in pilot phases with companies, vocational schools and continuing training institutions. Their design followed principles of media pedagogy, with particular attention to activity-based learning, applicability close to the workplace and collaborative learning scenarios.
Results
The project produced both technological and pedagogical innovations. The central MELODI platform offered SMEs a structured opportunity to exchange views on digital continuing training and provided curated digital learning resources. It incorporated content on topics such as digitalised warehousing processes, using telematics systems, communication in networked logistics chains and digital self-organisation.
The virtual learning environment (VLE) provided access to interactive learning modules containing tasks, reflective units and feedback elements. It supported both individual competence development and group work and was particularly suitable for hybrid learning arrangements.
An innovative format was the digital escape room, designed as a scenario-based simulation. Participants had to solve typical occupational problems together in a digital environment, developing cooperative problem-solving competence, media competence and communication skills.
Evaluation of the learning formats showed high acceptance among users and a marked increase in their subjectively perceived competence levels. The project also generated a theoretically grounded model of competence development through media pedagogy for company-based learning contexts.
Dissemination / knowledge transfer activities
MELODI pursued a broad transfer approach combining digital, face-to-face and network-based formats:
The project platform served as the central access point for digital learning resources and was made available as an open-access service.
Key results were presented at national and international specialist conferences, including ECER 2019 in Hamburg.
Online webinars explored specific topics in greater depth, such as digital leadership and the design of digital environments conducive to learning.
Several guidance documents recorded and published conceptual foundations, methodological guidelines and practical examples.
A specially developed digital escape room was made available as an open learning resource, accompanied by an explanatory video and a teaching and methods manual.
Project activities were supported by ongoing public relations work, including newsletters, platform news and a YouTube channel.
MELODI made a substantial contribution to professionalising the use of media pedagogy in company-based continuing training in logistics. Combining empirically grounded needs analysis, user-focused design, digital innovation and systematic dissemination produced a sustainable model for promoting digital competence in VET that is applicable beyond the project context.