"Reutlingen's IHK is involved in an experimental venture: a pilot project"
The Industry and Commerce Chamber (IHK) in Reutlingen has taken a significant step towards digital transformation by conducting a pilot project for digital final exams in dual apprenticeships. The initiative, aimed at modernising the examination process, has highlighted several areas that require improvement to ensure a seamless digital transition.
Roman Dollwet, training advisor at the IHK Reutlingen, stated that while many aspects of the digital exam worked well, improvements are needed in certain areas to ensure smooth running of the exams. The focus areas for improvement include technical infrastructure and reliability, user interface and experience, security and anti-cheating measures, alignment with dual training requirements, and support and training.
The digital platform and hardware were critical to prevent disruptions during exams. Improvements typically focus on stability, ease of access, and minimizing technical failures. The exam software must also be intuitive for apprentices, many of whom may have varying levels of digital literacy. Enhancements often aim at simplifying navigation and reducing complexity.
Digital exam environments must ensure exam integrity with improved proctoring, secure login systems, and data protection. Exams should reflect both theoretical knowledge and practical skills equally, requiring digital formats that integrate varied question types and practical task assessments. Both examiners and apprentices benefit from better preparation and guidance on digital exam formats.
The pilot project involved 50 apprentices from the professions of industrial mechanic, mechatronics engineer, and electronics technician for industrial engineering. They voluntarily signed up for the first digital test interim exam, which took place at the IHK Reutlingen. The evaluation of the digital exam was partly done through the exam system itself and partly by an IHK Reutlingen examiner.
Thorsten Leupold, head of training and examinations at the IHK Reutlingen, reported that the test run was an important step towards digital final exams. The IHK Reutlingen is still collaborating with a service provider to address any issues found in the digital exam system. Future evaluations will involve an AI tool to support the examiner.
The apprentices could directly see if they were well-prepared for their real paper exam or if there were gaps they needed to fill. The digital revolution is being introduced into the written final exams of dual apprenticeships at the IHK Reutlingen, marking a significant step towards modernising the German dual education system.
For a more comprehensive understanding of the pilot project's outcomes and concrete recommendations for advancing digital final exams, contacting IHK Reutlingen directly or reviewing official publications from their training or digital initiatives would be necessary. Further details about the collaboration between the IHK Reutlingen and other institutions for the digital exam project were not provided.
Technology played a crucial role in ensuring the smooth running of the digital final exams, highlighting the need for improvements in areas such as technical infrastructure and user interface to enhance the overall digital transition in education-and-self-development. The focus on security and anti-cheating measures, alignment with dual training requirements, and support and training is essential for a successful digital transformation in the field of education.
