XR4CRAFTS - Extended Reality (XR) for craftsmanship training

The increasing use of digital media, especially in craftsmaship, is accelerating the integration of the latest technologies such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). One new development is VR haptic applications, which allow people to 'feel' in VR and thus further promote the transfer of specialist and practical knowledge into professional practice. Corresponding experience with these so-called XR (Extended Reality) technologies in vocational training is rare. This means that company trainers and teachers at vocational schools cannot implement content in newly organized professions such as painter and varnisher for the area of 'digitalized working world'. This reduces the professional competence of learners and reduces the willingness of craft companies to provide training. In order to reverse this development, vocational training staff in particular need (media) pedagogical skills in order to integrate modern educational technologies into practical vocational training in a learning-based manner. Needs assessments before and during the project implementation showed a high level of interest (almost 100%) in XR among 137 trainers in the four professions: bricklayer, painter and varnisher, parquet fitter and carpenter.

XR4CRAFTS focused on: I. the promotion of professional, personal and digital skills among trainers and vocational schoolteachers in the skilled trades, II. the learning-based integration of AR, VR and VR haptics into teaching and learning scenarios in practical training in the four focus professions, III. the structured qualification of 10 VET trainers in dealing with XR and the associated support of the digital transformation in the participating institutions, and IV. on online and offline-based public relations work in vocational training, educational research and (educational) policy in the partner countries Belgium, Germany, France, Spain and Cyprus as well as at EU level. XR4CRAFTS screened suitable XR haptic technologies and developed tailor-made AR, VR and VR haptic applications. The approach from practitioners for practitioners promoted the exchange of knowledge and experience in the project and created transferable teaching and learning scenarios, especially in the first and low-threshold application of VR haptics in practical vocational training. This supported the transfer of innovation between research and vocational training. This aspect in particular makes XR4CRAFTS special.