ZHAW: Better completion of your apprenticeship with Virtual Reality

It is difficult for many training companies to provide apprentices with enough situations in which they can learn and practice the intended professional activities. The enrichment of in-company training with technology-supported worlds of experience based on virtual reality (VR) is therefore very promising. However, VR is hardly ever used systematically in in-company training, which can be attributed, among other things, to a lack of experience and research. Therefore, a VR learning environment for prospective electrical specialists was developed and tested in a joint project by the ZHAW and the PH Zurich. The technical expertise was contributed by the practice partners: Bandara, BKW Building Solutions, the electrical training center Effretikon and the professional association EIT.swiss. The project was funded by the Digitization Initiative of the Zurich Universities (DIZH).

A grade better thanks to virtual reality
For the project, the ZHAW developed a prototype of a VR learning environment with which learners can practice testing an electrical installation in a virtual garage with VR glasses. The PH Zurich contributed the didactic concept. «We know that learners in complex technical processes – whether real or virtual - are often heavily challenged and dependent on structuring support. That's why we have enriched the VR simulation with a help and question system as well as game elements to turn it into an effective VR learning environment," explains educational scientist Martin Berger from the PH Zurich.

In a field study, the performance of 68 Swiss assembly electricians and electricians in the last year of training was compared before and after their exam preparation: 35 apprentices used virtual reality to prepare for the practical exam, the other 33 apprentices prepared with classic learning methods . It turned out that the assembly electricians in particular benefited from the VR solution. In the final exam, they were able to improve by almost a whole grade compared to the learners without VR. "We were very pleased with the result and underscores the potential of VR to improve equal opportunities in in-company basic training," summarizes co-project manager Thomas Keller from the ZHAW School of Management and Law.

Enrichment of in-company training
VR allows learners to learn and experiment with various challenging or even potentially dangerous hands-on activities anytime, anywhere. It is important for those responsible for the studies to emphasize that VR should by no means replace practical training and contact with the trainers. «We see virtual reality solutions as a valuable addition to basic vocational training. The results of the project indicate that didactically sound virtual experience and learning spaces support in-company learning and can be effective in developing professional skills," says co-project manager Elke Brucker-Kley from the ZHAW School of Management and Law. The prototype of the VR learning environment is currently being further developed by the Bandara company for the more than 300 learners of the Bauman- Kölliker Group.


Contact:
Elke Brucker-Kley
Senior Research Associate
ZHAW School of Management and Law
phone 058 934 66 85, email elke.brucker-kley@zhaw.ch

Martin Berger
educational scientist and lecturer
Zurich University of Education
phone 043 305 61 05, email martin.berger@phzh.ch

Valerie Hosp
Communication
ZHAW School of Management and Law
phone 058 934 40 68, email valerie.hosp@zhaw.ch

ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences
Corporate Communications
Gertrudstrasse 15, P.O. Box
CH-8401 Winterthur
Phone +41 58 934 75 75
medien@zhaw.ch

Note: This article was translated from German to English by an online translator.

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