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Projects

Ongoing projects

Completed projects

  • 2019–2020

    KofeBS II – Assessing the competences of semi-skilled and unskilled people at vocational schools in preparation for an external examination

    The KofeBS follow-up project extends and evaluates competence assessment for semi-skilled and unskilled recipients of benefits under Books II and III of the German Social Code and employees without vocational qualifications to further training occupations. It also examines whether competence assessments and continuing training can be sustainably established at vocational schools. Funded by the European Social Fund (ESF), it operates under the Senator for Economic Affairs, Labour and Europe’s state programme ‘Progress through Education and Guidance’.

    Dr. Vivian Harberts Iris Klein

    Department: Prof. Dr. Falk Howe

  • 2018–2022

    Pro-VET – Enhancing the Professional Development of Vocational Education Teachers in Russia and Serbia with European Practices

    A key factor behind the differences in the quality and standing of vocational education and training across European countries and beyond lies with the teachers themselves. The selection, initial and continuing training, and employment conditions of vocational school teachers vary considerably. The Pro-VET project focuses on developing uniform teacher training objectives in Serbia and Russia, as well as online resources to help achieve these. The methodological approach is ‘policy learning’; in other words, the aim is not to export European solutions (which do not exist in this form anyway), but to further develop the existing teacher training systems in Serbia and Russia by drawing on examples of good practice from individual EU countries.

    Dr. Vivian Harberts Dr. Andreas Saniter

    Department: Prof. Dr. Falk Howe

  • 2018–2021

    FutureBOx – Developing and testing an e-portfolio for career guidance for high-achieving upper secondary pupils

    The project develops and tests an e-portfolio to support career guidance for upper secondary pupils in Bremen as part of a ‘Special programme for career guidance for high-achieving pupils’ under the federal–state ‘Education Chains’ agreement. It builds on an e-portfolio concept for career guidance already developed at the ITB through the Berufswahlpass.online project.

    Dr. Christian Staden

    Department: Prof. Dr. Falk Howe

  • 2018–2020

    WaBeQ – Skills Workshop

    The ‘WaBeQ – Competence Workshop’ project examines the extent to which digital media can be used to ensure that the training of young people with special educational needs is appropriately structured. To this end, in a collaborative development process with the training staff at the Waller Employment and Qualification Society (WabeQ), the key elements of the vocational science-based ‘Competence Workshop’ concept are being developed, tested and optimised to create a work-process- and competence-oriented, digitally supported vocational training programme.

    Michael Sander

    Department: Prof. Dr. Falk Howe

  • 2018–2021

    JuB – Boys and education in vocational education and training

    The project focuses on boys' and young men's educational and career guidance processes in pre-vocational and vocational education institutions. What enables or hinders young men in choosing social, educational, medical or care occupations? It examines which aspects need to be incorporated into boys' education and career guidance to (a) recognise them more effectively as potential skilled workers in these fields and (b) reduce inappropriate career choices caused by gender stereotypes.

    Barbara Scholand Prof. Dr. Marc Thielen

  • 2018–2021

    TEACH-VET – Platform for self-assessment and development of the teaching competence for VET teachers and trainers

    The aim of the EU project is to develop an electronic tool for the self-assessment of the teaching competences of vocational school teachers and trainers and to provide them with teaching materials for further qualification tailored to their individual results. The development of the tool is based on an analysis of teaching processes in initial VET and thus of the development of pedagogical competences, on the identification of existing systemic problems and bottlenecks, and on the needs of the teachers and trainers themselves. Based on the findings, the content of the online tool for assessing and developing the teaching competence of VET teachers and trainers is designed.

    Iris Klein Dr. Andreas Saniter

    Department: Prof. Dr. Falk Howe

  • 2018–2020

    Taccle VET – Extend European Framework for the Digital Competence of Educators for VET Teachers and Trainers

    Problem statement: The European Research Council has issued a framework, DigCompEdu (JRC, Redecker and Punie, 2017), recommending how EU teachers of general subjects should use digital media in teaching. The Joint Research Council report lacks a perspective on the particular characteristics of VET that would enable targeted recommendations for vocational school teachers and trainers. This project aims to close that gap. Objectives: TACCLE VET aims to extend the European framework for developing digital competences to vocational training. Research question: Expert interviews explore the implications of digital transformation for teaching and learning in four occupational sectors (construction, agriculture, tourism and wellness), focusing on the distinctive features of VET.

    Dr. Ludger Deitmer Pekka Kämäräinen

    Department: Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Michael Gessler

  • 2018–2019

    Developing vocational education and training research in Namibia

    Problem statement: Namibia is one of the countries with very high inequality and very high youth unemployment of over 50%. The National Development Plan (NDP5) names the improvement of vocational training structures as the central instrument for reducing inequality, enabling employment and strengthening the local economy. However, knowledge about the strengths, weaknesses and development needs of the VET system is very limited, as there is no established VET research. Objectives: The project aims to build structures for developing expertise in Namibia.

    Department: Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Michael Gessler

  • 2018–2019

    SOKO 3D – Social competences in the 3D printer training project

    Increasing workplace demands arising from digitalisation and new forms of work organisation – teams with mixed qualifications, flatter hierarchies, virtual working groups and decentralised decision-making – make social competences key enablers for the future. In tomorrow's workplace, particularly in mechanical and plant engineering, interdisciplinary cooperation across occupational fields and work in heterogeneous teams with mixed qualifications will become everyday activities.

    Dr. Daniela Ahrens Dr. Antje Handelmann

    Department: Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Michael Gessler

  • 2018

    ECER-Toolbox – Supporting hybrid presentations, hybrid posters and ePosters with the help of ECER-Toolbox

    The Learning Layers project (EU FP7), completed in 2017, developed and introduced the Learning Toolbox (LTB), with ITB involvement, as a digital toolkit for work-process-related learning. Its developers subsequently adapted it for presenting e-posters at conferences. These applications were piloted at two European conferences, AMEE and ECTEL, in 2017.

    Dr. Ludger Deitmer Dr. Lars Heinemann Pekka Kämäräinen Werner Müller

    Department: Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Michael Gessler

  • 2018–2022

    wb-ibb – Research support for the BMBF funding programme “Internationalisation of VET”

    Problem statement: Germany has a well-established vocational education and training system. Internationally, the ‘dual system’ in particular is held in high regard and serves as a model for national reform processes, as it supports the achievement of various objectives (including low youth unemployment, high productivity and high levels of social integration) in a unique way. The BMBF funding guideline ‘Internationalisation of Vocational Education and Training (ibb)’ aims to combine the promotion of exports with the fostering of international cooperation in vocational education and training. Objective: wb-ibb aims to assess the impact of the funding guideline. A further objective is to understand and explain the challenges and conditions for success in international vocational education and training cooperation. The overarching aim here is to support the internationalisation of vocational education and training, including through peer-learning processes.

    PD Dr. Susanne Peters Dr. Larissa Holle Dr. Kristina Kühn Dr. Lisa Meyne Dr. Christine Siemer Dr. Janis Vossiek

    Department: Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Michael Gessler

  • 2018–2022

    MeLoDi – 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.

    Dr. Daniela Ahrens Dr. Melanie Schall Dr. Christine Siemer

    Department: Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Michael Gessler

  • 2018–2022

    LIKA 4.0 – Digitally supported cooperative learning through customer orders; sub-project: developing and testing the overall teaching approach

    The “LIKA 4.0” project brings together a large research and development consortium – comprising thirteen industry partners from the commercial and technical skilled trades sector, the Akademie Zukunft Handwerk, the digital agency Interlutions and the ITB – to focus on the development, testing and institutionalisation of digitally supported continuing professional development in the skilled trades (AM-SHK, EEG) with a view to designing in-company training programmes that are work-process and competence-oriented, using a training management system. The development and testing of the continuing professional development programme and the training management system are carried out iteratively and cyclically, based on design-oriented approaches from Design-Based Research.

    Dr. Christian Staden Michael Sander

    Department: Prof. Dr. Falk Howe

  • 2018–2019

    Berufsschule digital – Vocational schools and their role in strengthening education in the digitalised world

    In early April 2018, ten vocational schools were selected to engage intensively for almost two years with concepts and solutions for the digitalisation of VET, particularly in the context of teaching and school development. The aim of the ‘Berufsschule digital’ network, launched by the Deutsche Telekom Stiftung, is to identify examples of good practice through exchange between the schools, develop them further and make them available beyond the network. The participating workshop schools receive continuous research support from the Institute for Information Management Bremen (ifib) and the Institute Technology and Education (ITB) at the University of Bremen. On behalf of the Deutsche Telekom Stiftung, the two institutes support the schools in their workshop process.

    Dr. Michael Reinhold

    Department: Prof. Dr. Falk Howe

  • 2017–2021

    MARIDAL – Maritime regional network for integrated working and learning

    Problem statement: Current developments in Germany’s port industry, which is dominated by small and medium-sized enterprises, are leading to increased competitive pressure, resulting in growing automation and digitalisation strategies. These developments bring changes to work organisation and work processes in the port industry. Objectives: The BMBF funding directive ‘Digital Media in VET’ addresses the interactions between technological developments, structural changes in the world of work and the associated challenges for initial and continuing training. MARIDAL aims to promote working and learning in the maritime industry through media-supported learning formats and to sustain this by establishing a regional digital transfer network, taking into account the simultaneity of competence development and organisational development.

    Dr. Daniela Ahrens Sophia Roppertz Dr. Melanie Schall

    Department: Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Michael Gessler

  • 2017–2020

    TACCLE4 – Strategies, Models and Tools for Continuing Professional Development for Teachers in e-Learning

    Problem statement: The preceding projects, Taccle 1, 2 and 3, developed school teachers' digital competences. Taccle4 CPD will develop strategies and models for continuing professional development. The ITB's work focuses on VET teachers. Objectives: To provide an overview of digital transformation in working life and develop perspectives on digitalisation in vocational teaching and learning.

    Dr. Ludger Deitmer Pekka Kämäräinen

    Department: Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Michael Gessler

  • 2017–2020

    ICSAS – Integrating Companies in a Sustainable Apprenticeship System

    ICSAS (‘Integrating Companies in a Sustainable Apprenticeship System’) offers countries without workplace learning experience first-hand insight into how this training system works, using the footwear industry. Work-based learning (WBL) is a promising approach to developing apprentices' occupational competence and strengthening their identification with their occupation and training company. Germany's dual VET system structurally incorporates real work processes' learning potential through alternating company and vocational school learning venues. In school-based systems such as Romania's and Portugal's, this potential remains untapped. ICSAS aims to demonstrate its use through a one-year dual programme in the footwear industry in Romania and Portugal, modelled on German dual training, and ultimately to incorporate dual elements into those countries' training regulations.

    Dr. Andreas Saniter Bianca Schmitt

    Department: Prof. Dr. Falk Howe

  • 2017–2020

    FöABv – Promoting training-relevant behavioural standards in pre-vocational teaching

    The project focuses on the pedagogical order in teaching within pre-vocational programmes in the transition system between general schooling and initial VET. It identifies, analyses and systematises practices through which young people's behaviour is situationally constituted, negotiated and addressed as a matter relevant to teaching in pre-vocational institutions.

    Dr. Antje Handelmann Dominik Schütte Prof. Dr. Marc Thielen

  • 2017–2020

    DASCHE – Development, Assessment and Validation of Social Competences in Higher Education

    Problem statement: Alongside research and teaching, higher education institutions have a so-called ‘third mission’: shaping the interface between higher education and society. In the course of efforts to make higher education comparable, social competences became a target dimension of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and of the respective national qualifications frameworks. How this field of learning, and the processes for achieving this goal, should be designed is still open, unresolved and in need of development. Objectives: DASCHE aims to identify good practice in the sense of the project and, on this basis, to derive a common framework model for embedding social competence in higher education.

    Dr. Kristina Kühn Lena Setzepfand

    Department: Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Michael Gessler

  • 2017–2019

    RISE – Regional Innovation Hubs Strengthening Social Entrepreneurship through Cross-Border Community Projects

    Problem statement: Developing entrepreneurial competences is not a standard component of European VET. Vocational schools and practitioners consequently lack an enabling environment, the necessary internal structures and the required competences. Objectives: The consortium aimed to develop vocational schools in Germany, Spain and Slovenia into regional innovation hubs.

    Miguel Civera

    Department: Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Michael Gessler

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