Mixed Reality Supported Learning for Industrial on-the-job Training

Abstract

The digital transformation of industry – the so-called fourth industrial revolution – leads to changing work systems in industry and to new demands on industry workers. New job profiles emerge, existing profiles are changing, and new skills are needed. Thus, continuous and personalized learning on-the-job – directly integrated into the relevant working context – is imperative for 21st century industry workers. New technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) could be an option for supporting hands-on learning for practical industrial training, directly on the real or virtual machine or factory. These Mixed Reality (MR) technologies are expected to meet the demands for situated and contextual learning according to respective constructivist learning theories. This paper presents two use cases for MR supported learning for industrial on-the-job training in a German manufacturing company focusing on two main research questions: (1) To what extent are MR technologies suitable for implementing key didactic aspects of situated and contextual learning (situational context, active participation, self-control, collective and experiential learning)? (2) What are key characteristics (e.g. type of task, user characteristics, interaction, information and technology-related aspects) for selecting the appropriate technical solution (AR vs. VR) for industrial training? The comparative use case analysis provides some valuable indications for overcoming the limitations of pure physical learning factories and for leveraging their potential for industrial on-the-job training through the targeted use of MR technologies.

Keywords: industrial training, learning on-the-job, situated and contextual learning, augmented reality, virtual reality, mixed reality features

JEL Classification: I25, J24, L6