Learning via Digital Assistance Systems
Digital assistance systems are intended to instruct people to operate production facilities in industrial production, even without prior knowledge. In this interdisciplinary project, the researchers are investigating how well step-by-step guidance that relies exclusively on assistance systems works and where further qualification is necessary.
Initial Situation
Digital assistance systems are intended to instruct people to operate production facilities in industrial production, even without prior knowledge. In this interdisciplinary project, Research Group “Working in Highly Automated, Digital-Hybrid Processes”, and Research Group “Education and Advanced Training in the Digital Society”, are investigating how well a step-by-step instruction relying exclusively on assistance systems performs – and where comprehensive training and personal guidance is needed to convey contextual knowledge.
Realisation
For this purpose, we used the Industry 4.0 Center (FAZI) at the Chair of Business Informatics Processes and Systems at the University of Potsdam and conducted a first experimental study. 59 test persons were trained step by step in their tasks using an assistance system. A subgroup of 35 people received in addition a personal introduction to the entire work process.
Results and Prospects
Our study shows evidence that the test persons, who received a personal introduction, initially made more mistakes when performing their task but achieved a higher level of productivity and quality in the long run. Moreover, we find evidence for group differences in terms of achievement and learning capabilities: While additional knowledge on the production process has a significant positive impact for high-performing participants, test persons with lower capabilities perform better, when trained exclusively by the assistance system.
The project is currently in the second conceptual phase. The experiment will be further developed and expanded to include new aspects, such as the influence of different team structures and forms of work organisation.
Duration: 1.6.2019 - 31.5.2022
Publications:
Vladova, Gergana/Wotschack, Philip/de Paiva Lareiro, Patricia/Gronau, Norbert/Thim, Christof (2020): „Lernen mit Assistenzsystemen. Vor lauter Aufgaben den Prozess nicht sehen?“ In: Industrie 4.0 Management, Jg. 36, H. 3, S. 16-20.
Warnhoff, Kathleen/de Paiva Lareiro, Patricia (2019): „Skill Development on the Shop Floor – Heading to a Digital Divide?“ In: Proceedings of the Weizenbaum Conference 2019 „Challenges of Digital Inequality – Digital Education, Digital Work, Digital Life“. Berlin.
Wotschack, Philip; de Paiva Lareiro, Patricia; Vladova, Gergana; Thim, Christof (2021): Lernen mit Assistenzsystemen. Zusätzliches Prozesswissen macht einen Unterschied. WZB-Mitteilungen, Heft 171: 48-52.
Team
The project team consists of members of the research groups “Working in Highly Automated, Digital-Hybrid Processes”, and “Education and Advanced Training in the Digital Society”
