In its study "Monitor Digital Education - Vocational Training in the Digital Age", the Bertelsmann Stiftung analyzes a comprehensive empirical database on the status of digital learning in various education sectors. The first published report focuses on vocational training.
The study concludes that digitalization in vocational training has so far taken the form of restrained modernization rather than broad innovation. As a result, opportunities for disadvantaged groups remain untapped and innovation often fails due to a lack of skills and resources. Changes in the area of digital learning are often initiated by young trainees and less by the teachers themselves. Overall, there is a great need for action if the opportunities offered by digital vocational education and training are to be fully exploited.
In addition, the study generates some interesting insights into traditional learning platforms or learning management systems (LMS) such as Moodle:
- According to the Bertelsmann Stiftung survey, only 12{2cb051fce007fca1f4ad811c54f87d79b8f6000c20ef503816adc3fbcaef25e4} of teachers in vocational schools frequently use traditional learning platforms.
- A further 22{2cb051fce007fca1f4ad811c54f87d79b8f6000c20ef503816adc3fbcaef25e4} use traditional LMS systems occasionally.
- A third of vocational schools (33 percent) and 44 percent of companies use free (open source) learning management systems.
The study also examines the use of tablets in the classroom:
- If technical equipment such as tablets are used for learning at vocational schools, these are predominantly the teachers' private devices.
- 42{2cb051fce007fca1f4ad811c54f87d79b8f6000c20ef503816adc3fbcaef25e4} of all vocational students use a private tablet for lessons, but school devices are only used in 7{2cb051fce007fca1f4ad811c54f87d79b8f6000c20ef503816adc3fbcaef25e4} of cases.
- Only 16{2cb051fce007fca1f4ad811c54f87d79b8f6000c20ef503816adc3fbcaef25e4} of all trainers use tablets for training.
- Tablets are mainly used in pilot projects, with increasing demand. Lessons are perceived as more interesting and motivating as a result and the opportunity to learn more individually and on the move is appreciated
Source: https://www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de/de/publikationen/publikation/did/monitor-digitale-bildung/
