Smart Qu@lification

Smart Qu@lification: Development and testing of innovative, learning location-independent qualification concepts in inland navigation by use of digital media

In inland navigation, it is important to be able to continue to have sufficient personnel resources in the future. The job-related mobility of this group of employees requires easily accessible training and learning courses that are tailored to their needs. Therefore a key objective was to develop concepts and learning modules for mobile learning using digital media.

In order to guarantee the performance and innovation capability in inland navigation in the future, it is necessary to be able to fall back on sufficient human resources in qualitative and quantitative terms. For this purpose, a training and further education programme that is easily accessible and tailored to the needs of this mobile occupational group must be ensured. The aim of the “Smart Qu@lification” project was therefore to develop concepts and learning modules for mobile learning using digital media, taking into account the very specific conditions and needs of the industry. First, a quantitative-empirical survey was carried out in the inland navigation sector in order to determine relevant qualification requirements, subject areas and technical and temporal framework conditions for the conception of learning modules in terms of content and didactic methodology. The opinions of industry experts were also heard in the selection of topics. On the basis of the finally selected topics radar basics, VHF inland navigation radio, energy-efficient navigation, route knowledge, law in inland navigation, leak defence in inland navigation as well as navigation simulation, e-learning modules were developed which can be used for different target groups from vocational training to further education. These modules dealt with both commercial and technical topics. A special feature of the project is the online navigation simulation. With regard to the learning platform to be used, the decision was made in favour of the Moodle system, as it met the project’s requirements in terms of content and handling.

During the course of the project, the learning modules were developed, technically implemented, tested via the Learning Management System by end users from the respective target group and evaluated under scientific supervision. The findings of the evaluation as well as corresponding hints and criticism, also from other sources, were reported back to the teams responsible for the respective modules, which made necessary changes to the learning modules. BDB (Federal Association of German Inland Navigation, responsible for education and professional training in inland navigation) and SBKR (Schiffer-Berufskolleg RHEIN) as an associated project partner were significantly involved in the development of these concepts. At the end of the project, they take over the exploitation of the learning modules developed, including their marketing and further maintenance.