DigiLernSicher: Digital learning of safety-related knowledge and associated behaviours

DigiLernsicher is a nationally funded project in Austria, led by Wirtschaftskammer Steiermark (The Austrian Economic Chambers) in collaboration with Wirtschaftskammer Steiermark (Room466 by WKO Steiermark), Mindconsole GmbH, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, and AVL List GmbH. This regional initiative aims to introduce extended reality technologies, particularly virtual reality (VR), into vocational education and training.

Beyond education

The project's primary focus lies in empowering electrician apprentices with essential digital skills using a specially developed VR apps. By conducting design fiction workshops involving trainers and trainees, VR learning scenarios were identified. The subsequent development of the VR app and rigorous user experience testing led to the creation of a comprehensive VR simulation. The result is a compendium that provides valuable insights into successfully implementing VR as a training tool.

One of the project's core objectives is to ensure that apprentices and workers can experience potentially hazardous situations safely. The immersive and phenomenological nature of  VR offers a promising solution to this challenge. Moreover, the project explores game-based learning approaches, augmented reality and simulation for a first-person perspective as means to enhance safety-related training aspects.

To achieve these goals, the project employed several key approaches:

1. Analysis of safety relevant problems in Styrian companies.
2. Assessment of existing curricula with regards to safety-related knowledge and digital technology integration.
3. Conceptualization of scenarios for learning safety-related actions using digital technologies.
4. Prototypical implementation of a VR environment specifically tailored for electrical engineers' training.
5. Rigorous scientific evaluation and assessment pf the acceptance and socio-economic feasibility of VR apps in vocational education and training.

The VR scenario, developed in collaboration with various stakeholders, recreated a domestic environment with potentially damaged electrical installations. This setup enables in a depth investigation of the acceptance, usability, and sense of presence in the VR-based training. The insights gained from the project's field study, conducted alongside industry and VET sector partners, will contribute to the formulation of guidelines for integrating VR training effectively into VET curricula.

Who are the beneficiaries?

The beneficiaries of the developed VR app are vocational institute and school trainers, who can gain valuable experience in utilizing VR as a training tool, and trainees and students who can familiarize themselves with VR technology as a learning tool. The initiative is free of charge for all participants. The VR app was also made available free of charge to the two regional vocational schools for electrical engineering so that it can be used by teachers and students in class. Companies have also shown interest in the VR app to use it in its current form for training their apprentices, but also to develop it further for their needs and generally promote the use of digital technologies.

Why is this a good practice?

DigiLernSicher represents a significant step towards advancing vocational training through the effective and efficient use of VR technology. By combining innovative approaches, safety-conscious VR training, and extensive research, the project aims to transform the way apprentices and workers engage with safety-relevant and complex content in their training journey. It fosters collaboration with leading organizations, provides practical guidelines for implementation, and offers equal access to advanced learning technologies through its regional initiative. This project has the potential to inspire other initiatives to explore the transformative power of emerging technologies in the realm of education.