Augmented RealiTy fOr Management SkIlls Development with real-based Cases Erasmus Project

Project Title

Augmented RealiTy fOr Management SkIlls Development with real-based Cases

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for higher education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2019

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: ICT – new technologies – digital competences; Cooperation between educational institutions and business

Project Summary

The European Commission Education & Training 2020 programme and the report on the Modernisation Agenda of Higher Education identifies improvement of quality and relevance of teaching and learning as one of the most important current issues. One of the main priorities for Higher Education is reducing the discrepancy between graduates’ skills and expectations of society and labour market as well as raising teaching standards in universities.
The expectations of the European market in relation to universities are expressed in qualified, competent and skilled graduates. Businesses are able to train graduates’ hard skills, however soft skills are often a prerequisite. Thus, qualified employees, as understood by modern enterprises, should have a thorough education reinforced by diverse soft skills.
Typical classes are based on knowledge transfer in form of lectures among a large group. Students learn dry facts, even if they are based on case studies, and lack the opportunity to learn by doing and being exposed to real workplaces. Classroom has become a comfort zone, a place where help and assistance is offered, one that is not present in a real environment. Only practicing a variety of real time interactions allows future graduates to enter the labour market with an adequate skill set.
The above mentioned factors manifest in deficiencies in soft skills and practice of graduates and cause inability to properly react to the challenges at future workplace. Responding to above mentioned needs, we would like to enrich study programmes of all partners by implementing an innovative method for teaching and learning soft management skills based on augmented reality (AR). We believe that applying AR as a part of existing curriculum, will allow to achieve the main goal of this project, which is to improving the quality and efficiency of higher education as well as qualifications and competencies of students.
The term AR refers to the interactive experience of a real-world environment where the objects that reside in the real-world are augmented by computer-generated imagery and sounds. According to Power Research Center 73% of teens have access to a smartphone, thus AR is available for use for the majority of the target group. Therefore, this technology has a great potential to printed materials, making education more accessible and mobile. Among the most significant trends in EdTech, AR has the leading position.
The goal of this project will be achieved by creation of interactive AR simulation dedicated for enhancing training of future managerial staff. It will allow the students to gather both, knowledge and experience. The main intention behind creation of such a tool is development of soft skills such as team work, collaboration, communication, self- and group motivation, creativity, time management. The AR simulation will provide an will provide an attractive and engaging presentation artificial environment in which exercises can be performed. Additionally, it will be possible to use the application from different locations, removing the necessity of users colocation (distance learning).
The application will contain two types of exercises focusing on Lean Management and Health and Safety at Work. For both cases separate scenarios will be developed and incorporated into the application as an AR simulation.
This project involves three target groups: students, academics and businesses. It will improve soft competencies of graduates such as: planning and organizing, staffing and controlling, problem solving, critical thinking, creativity and teamwork.
The universities, academic staff and students will benefit from:
-access to engaging and immersive exercises in the form of group tasks, based on case studies gathered among associated partners,
-risk free opportunity to learn by doing, by means of AR,
-accessible education – distance learning with AR-aided materials.
-attractive teaching tool tailored to fit the curriculum.
From the business perspective:
-graduates with higher qualifications, especially in term of soft skills;
-new employees equipped with high demand skills;
The consortium comprises five partners: Lodz University of Technology (the leader), Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, University of Tartu, University of Aveiro, Polytechnic of Šibenik and three associated partners: Siemens Sp. z o.o., DPD group, and Wielton S.A.
Associated partners are bound to provide business insight and market-driven analysis of needs and requirements for future employees. Experts from each company will be responsible for providing real case studies that will be implemented into all scenarios of the AR application. The final scenarios and the releases of the AR application will be presented to associated partners’ experts during meetings with target groups (E1 and E2). Collected feedback will be invaluable for developing the application in order for it meet the needs of future employees and employers.

Project Website

http://www.atomic.p.lodz.pl

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 253271 Eur

Project Coordinator

POLITECHNIKA LODZKA & Country: PL

Project Partners

• UNIVERSIDADE DE AVEIRO
• TARTU ULIKOOL
• Veleuciliste u Sibeniku
• INSTYTUT MEDYCYNY PRACY IMIENIA PROF. DRA MED. JERZEGO NOFERA W LODZI