Vocational schools are one of the significant organizations which meet the intermediate staff need of the private sector. Qualified vocational schools and qualified graduates provide significant contribution in the sector and national economy. In these days in which the 4th Industrial Revolution takes place and value of the information increases, organizations which value R&D and innovation stand out. In that respect, it is necessary that vocational schools are more effective in R&D and innovation process. It is seen that vocational schools cannot learn R&D and innovation adequately with conventional education methods. Within the scope of this project, an innovative learning method is suggested for vocational schools to learn R&D and innovation in enjoyable and visual ways. Virtual reality is used as learning method. As known, virtual reality triggers sense of reality by transferring the real world concepts into the computer environment. With its 3-dimensional and interactive nature, virtual reality increases persistency in teaching process. In addition, it will ensure and make more attractive that students learn R&D and innovation and develop strategies with its enjoyable aspect. R&D, innovation and information technologies based works will be carried out before virtual reality based learning method is offered to the target audience. First, works will be carried out R&D and innovation in Vocational Education, definitions and applications will be determined with project partners. At the end of this process, Internet Based R & D and Innovation Book in Vocational Education will be created. Curriculum of the teaching process is determined with this study. The final form is obtained by turning all the contents and applications in the related e-book into virtual reality. When intellectual outputs are obtained, the learning method will be implemented to Department of Information Technology, Department of Electrical and Electronics Technology, Department of Machine Technology, Department of Business, Department of Physiotherapy Assistant Department of Obstetrics Assistant. These departments in the partner organization constitute the target audience of the project and it is aimed that 300 students directly benefit from it. As mentioned above, the project has 2 main intellectual outputs. These are: 1) Internet Based R & D and Innovation Book in Vocational Education, 2) Virtual reality applications. In addition, a website which will contain information on all related activities will also be prepared. It will be published with English, Turkish, Greek and Lithuanian language options. 7 transnational meetings are planned in order to realize the project and obtain related outputs. To achieve related targets and objectives, 8 organizations are included in the project. Dissemination activities will be carried out to ensure that project outputs reach more people. In that respect, regional meetings will be held in Turkey, England, UK and Lithuania. Project outputs will be published as open to public access without any license fee. With this aspect, it will be ensured that more people benefit from the project on national and international level.
Depending on the development level of the countries, R&D and innovation perception may vary. In order to reach out a standard definition of R&D and innovation, the project involved partners from different countries. In the initial stages of the project, we cooperated on the IO1 and determined the focal approach in relation to R&D and innovation. We wanted to increase the teaching quality of R&D and innovation at VET schools, we developed virtual reality apps related to R&D and innovation to see that the students can learn in an enjoyable manner as IO2. To ensure this expected outcome, partners prepared examples about R&D and innovation in compliance with the nature of the chosen departments. The more futuristic outcome is reflection of R&D and Innovation knowledge to their business life. Raising R&D and innovation awareness both in technical departments in social departments was another expectation. The vocational schools were contributed to set infrastructure with innovative teaching materials. This way, we expected to contribute to ensure that vocational schools take active part in Industry 4.0 process primarily.
We applied for the project to develop learning materials needed at vocational schools to make R&D and innovation effective, by using VR as an innovative learning method. Vocational schools, which are vital for the industries, have a key role in the 4th Industrial Revolution, the biggest economic move in world. Industries and countries can take part in the 4th Industrial Revolution if they give more importance and develop R&D and innovation strategies. While VET schools should be successful in relation to R&D and innovation because they meet intermediate staff need of economy. Although structure and functions of VET schools are different in countries; they are expected to be active in economy. So, countries should give more importance and contribute to the teaching R&D and innovation at VET schools. In Turkiye, the recent researches indicated that VET students and graduates don't have enough strategy on Innovation and R&D for their career. They don’t have adequate knowledge about R&D and innovation and what to do after graduation. They also don't know in which position they could be in R&D and innovation works related to their fields. So an innovative learning method is needed at VET schools to make R&D and innovation effective.