Completed project · 2015–2018
Media use in welding training
MESA promotes digital media use in vocational education in the welding sector. As a sector-specific innovation, welding simulators offer clear learning advantages, but effective use requires a pedagogical framework that does not yet exist. MESA integrates digital media into a needs-based, pedagogically grounded concept supporting both general inter-company welding training and company training.
Welding simulators offer significant potential learning benefits. Integrating simulations into initial and continuing VET remains a research need because, despite digital media's prominence, a learning-theory foundation is lacking, particularly for teaching and learning arrangements. The Gesellschaft für Schweißtechnik International mbH considers a systematic pedagogical framework essential for successful use; none yet exists.
MESA addresses this by integrating digital media into needs-based, pedagogically grounded initial and continuing training. It examines equipment from all manufacturers operating in the German market and covers both general inter-company welding training and company-specific training focused on individual welding processes.
Close cooperation with industry, educational institutions and associations ensures alignment with sector needs and supports the use of results. Outputs comprise an evaluated guide, open-source software and a proposal to improve welder certification. MESA's innovation lies in embedding existing technologies within a needs-based blended learning concept spanning technologies for initial and continuing welding training.
In the EdiKo sub-project, the ITB develops and evaluates a pedagogical concept for media-supported welding training. Work-process analyses and expert workshops inform the concept and curriculum. The ITB develops teaching and learning materials, provides them through an e-learning platform, and designs and conducts the evaluation.