SHORT PROJECT SUMMURY The onset of the fourth industrial revolution known as “Industry 4.0” is a key technological feature at the current stage of human development. The working group on Industry 4.0 characterized its vision of the new industrial revolution as a worldwide implementation of information and communication technologies (ICT) in manufacturing processes, which are not only in charge for certain manufacturing stages, but are able to monitor and optimize manufacturing processes completely on its own. The greatest challenge of the Industry 4.0 however isn’t technology – it is the skills and digital qualifications of the peopel who need to roll out digital processes and services. For almost every business and, of course, all engineering or manufacturing companies, enhancing skills and organisational structures will be critical.” All latest studies show, that such rapid pace of technological development makes it almost impossible for existing vocational education and training to provide adequate and timely solutions. An essential prerequisite for the implementation of the „Industry 4.0“ as a whole and specifically for additive manufacturing technologies is a training of professionals competent in effectively using huge opportunities of innovative solutions offered by the fourth industrial revolution. AIMS & OBJECTIVES The present project “INDEX- Industrial Expert” is aimed at the development of a MOOC-based open educational resource (OER) on Industry 4.0“, and focused on professionals in application-oriented areas appears a vital practice-oriented task, whereas the combination of the newest academic know-how and entrepreneurial needs custom-fitted to produce systematic understanding and operational skills is an ideal approach to offer a solution tailored to the needs of the various target group: The project reflects the strategic objectives of the EU cooperation in education and training (ET 2020) responding to the technological challenges with the newest training programs, inspiring the entrepreneurship and helping individuals and companies to identify and perceive new business opportunities. Taking into account that Industry 4.0 and its main components are an efficient tool with a versatile applicability, a wide range of potential consumers, both institutional and individual, can benefit from the project. The transnational project consortium brings together: • Know-how from different regions of Europe with different industrial and development-related profiles. • Experiences from a large number of European education systems and practice, which enable Europe-wide adaptation in the field of further education. Particular attention should be paid to the fact that the course is designed to be applicable at different stages of development. The specific objectives of the project are: • Identifying an INDEX- Industrial Expert occupation, structured according to ECVET guidelines. • creating flexible learning courseware for modularized learning providing fundamental technical, management and entrepreneurial knowledge on Industry 4.0 • creating up-to-date MOOC-based OER In the course of the project, the following intellectual outputs will be developed: Educational content of the OER comprises: IO1. “INDEX- Industrial Expert” competence profile; IO2. Curricula Framework, Didactical concept and methodology for validation and assessment; IO3. “Essentials of industry 4.0 Industry 4.0”; IO4. “The modern pathways of Entrepreneurship, Technology and Restructuring Management”; IO5. INDEX 4.0 – “Automation and Sensors” IO6. INDEX 4.0 – “Additive Manufacturing - Creating the future in research and industry” IO7. INDEX 4.0 – “Internet of Things - Connecting the Future” IO8. INDEX 4.0 – “Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality” IO9. The MOOC e-Learning platform, expandable for future modules IO10. Outreach concept The aim of the project consortium is to create and further develop the INDEX education platform in order to support enhancing the modern interdisciplinary skills and competences provided within VET and CET programmes and urgently required by today’s industry.
The onset of the fourth industrial revolution known as Industry 4.0 or smart manufacturing (SM) is a key technological feature at the current stage of human development. I 4.0 involves a new approach to production based on the massive adoption of information technology in industry, large-scale automation of business processes and the spread of artificial intelligence. The benefits of this revolution are evident: increased productivity, greater worker safety, increased competitiveness, fundamentally new products and much more. In this context the companies are faced with an increasing number of challenges to be met especially in terms of adapting their skills to the progressing automation and digitalization to remain competitive. For this reason, one of the essential prerequisites for the implementation of SM technologies should be new VET and CPD programmes, ensuring the required qualification of professionals competent in effective use of huge opportunities of innovative solutions offered by the fourth industrial revolution. The present project, “INDEX- Industrial Expert”, was aimed at development of a MOOC-based short cycle qualification courseware on Industry 4.0 as one of such educational programmes delivered as an OER. The course, combining the newest academic know-how and entrepreneurial needs that are custom-fitted to produce systematic understanding and operational skills is designed for professionals in application-oriented areas. The specific objectives of the project were: - Identifying an INDEX- Industrial Expert profile, based on the determined qualification and skill gaps. - creating flexible online courseware for modularized learning providing fundamental technical, management and entrepreneurial knowledge on Industry 4.0, corresponding to Level 4-6 of the European Qualification Framework (EQF). - creating up-to-date OER platform based on Open edX software. The project results comprise: IO1. “INDEX- Industrial Expert” competence profile, based on a detailed study helped to identify more specific qualification needs in regard to I 4.0 use. IO2. Curricula Framework, Didactical concept and methodology for validation and assessment; The challenge of the INDEX curriculum was to take advantage of learning sciences and modern technologies to create an engaging, relevant, and personalized learning experience. In contrast to traditional education, this requires learners to be placed centrally and be able to take control of their own learning, providing flexibility in a variety of dimensions. IO3. INDEX Basic module – “Essentials of industry 4.0”: provides comprehensive theoretical knowledge for the successful implementation of Industry 4.0 solutions IO4. INDEX Entrepreneurship, Technology and Restructuring Management “E-TRIM” covers information about entrepreneurship and company organisation, commercialisation of innovative projects, innovation marketing, project and risk management and finally: policy, legal aspects and funding. It also gives insight into best practices of innovative companies’ operation. IO5. INDEX 4.0 – “Automation and Sensors”: covers information about various principles and technologies implemented on the most commonly used types of sensors and actuators/transducers IO6. INDEX 4.0 – “Additive Manufacturing - Creating the future in research and industry” explains how to select and perform the right AM process At the end of the course, the participant learns about the potential value of AM for companies and what opportunities AM offers. IO7 INDEX 4.0 – “Internet of Things - Connecting the Future”: covers information about internet protocol suites, different type of connections, application layer protocols, services and use of microcontroller units. Learners will acquire knowledge on the use, application and commercialisation of concepts pertaining to the broad context of loT. IO8. INDEX 4.0 – “Augmented Reality” enables the users of the „MOOC” to acquire intensive knowledge on the use, application and commercialisation of concepts pertaining to the broad context of AR. In this module, learners have at their disposal the definition and the main concepts of augmented reality, can discover its dynamics in time and the fundamental principles that underlie this technology. IO9. The MOOC e-Learning platform, expandable for future modules The OER platform is structured in a modular format and offers tailored content for individual target groups in the modern high-tech employment sectors. The project reflected the strategic objectives of the EU cooperation in education and training (ET 2020) responding to the technological challenges with the newest training programs, inspiring the entrepreneurship and helping individuals and companies to identify and perceive new business opportunities. The main goal of the project consortium was to create am OER platform in order to support enhancing modern interdisciplinary skills and competences urgently required by today’s industry.