Event-based education and innovation in Learning Factories – concept and evaluation from Hackathon to GameJam

Abstract

Innovations in manufacturing technology and ongoing digitalization require the constant acquisition of new skills and competencies. Especially in the case of emerging technologies, insecurities and reservations can cause challenges for implementation. Events for facilitating innovation, education and training, as for instance hackathons or code-camps, are popular in the ICT sector. Learning Factories offer a prime location and assets for conducting technology and education-based events. A concept for event-based education is developed. With an attributed collection of event types it allows the structured identification of suitable events. The feasibility of event-based education is demonstrated with the analysis of a hackathon and a game jam held at “Die Lernfabrik”. A self-evaluation of the participants indicates a positive reception and knowledge improvement.