IO2 Chemistry

The chemical industry is characterized by continuous and discontinuous synthesis of chemical compounds. The first one is mainly carried out by bigger companies. Rather small and medium-sized companies (SME‘s) focus on discontinuous or batch productions. The core production processes reflect the effects of flexibilization, modularisation and digitalisation.

The digitalisation of company process started since the 1970‘s. In recent years, the progress in e. g. sensors and computing capacities allows to make the synthesis of chemical more efficient. That is why the use of devices, like tablets, smartphones, and Augmented Reality (AR) glasses, for e. g. the qualification workers, such as apprentices, is seen to provide an economic and pedagogical value added. These both parameters are interlinked with each other. It is currently stunning, that rather less experiences exist on how to use AR or smart glasses, during training. The shift to so called immersive workspaces (Gartner, 2019), which integrates technologies like AR and AI (Artificial Intelligence), is obvious.

This course will guide trainers and VET teachers, from the chemical industry, to use these AR glasses technically and didactically right.

The course integrates the relevant contents of the new elective „Digitalisation and interconnected production“ for the occupational profession of chemical operators, where AR is used in teaching and learning as technology and as a teaching method. Furthermore, it provides the knowledge to (company) trainers and VET teachers to enrich their teaching and learning materials with relevant AR applications for the relevant school and company environment.