Requirements analysis for the design of workplace-integrated learning scenarios with mobile devices: Mapping the territory for learning in industry 4.0

The apprenticeship in the dual system of Vocational Education and Training (VET) in Germany takes place at companies with training departments and vocational schools. For the needs of requirements analysis for workplace-integrated mobile learning designs and the development of a context-sensitive mobile application in those companies we interviewed apprentices from mechanical engineering. Based on a theoretically derived comprehensive catalog of software features, we determined the most used software features by apprentices in the past and those, which are mostly requested by them for the intended application in VET. This includes learning with a diversity of multimedia formats, the support of action-oriented tasks, videos explaining work processes, digital mechanical engineering learning contents, and a cloud system to store and share data. We identified the main tasks of apprentices in mechanical engineering education. These are related to action-oriented work orders, typically composed of analyzing mechanical drawings, planning the work process, milling or turning workpieces and a final quality control. The respective educational characteristics of these learning phases are suitable to be supported by digital media. Though well-used in the private context of the apprentices, in the area of mobile learning in VET and with regard to the educational use of smartphones and tablet computers those devices are currently less utilized in the learning environments of training companies and vocational schools. The results of this survey will be considered for the design of workplace-integrated mobile learning as well as for the development of a mobile application for respective learning scenarios. The focus of the underlying instructional design is on an integrated view of existing work processes, assisting educational materials, and social processes in VET.