Distributed Mixed Real and Virtual Learning Environments for Mechatronics and Tele-service (derive) -learning from Technology Enhanced Learning

Some results of a recent European Project for specification, design and evaluation of Distributed Real and Virtual Learning Environments for Mechatronics and Tele-service (DERIVE) will be presented. The project aimed at the development and evaluation of a new kind of multi-perspective human-machine system. It was motivated from industrial practice and vocational education in the emerging professions of Mechatronics and Tele-Service. In these domains a combination of real and virtual, local and remote media to support concrete and abstract views has been found to be desirable for learning processes and for system maintenance. A concept has been developed to support a free choice of perspectives and tools. Although at first aiming at a learning environment, the environment may also be used for systems design, gradual implementation and maintenance, where on-site and remote components of a technical system, their real and virtual representations, functional, symbolic and illustrative models merge into one cooperative learning and design process.