In the context of digital transformation and Industry 4.0, it is important to ensure that students are adequately prepared for the future workforce, with the knowledge and skills required to thrive in an increasingly digital environment. Laboratory events at universities of applied sciences (HAWs) play a central role in this development, but their implementation is often challenging and resource-intensive. The SHELLS 4.0 project, involving Mannheim University of Applied Sciences, Hochschule Offenburg, and Pforzheim University, aims to establish a cross-institutional pool of hybrid, competency-based laboratories. This initiative focuses on improving the accessibility of digital teaching and learning methods, addressing implementation challenges.

Project Overview and Vision

The goal of SHELLS 4.0 is to create models for hybrid laboratory teaching across HAWs, integrating both virtual and physical learning environments. By offering laboratory events to students from various universities, the project aims to expand course offerings, making them more diverse, interdisciplinary, and attractive. This approach also addresses the challenge of limited resources by optimizing available educational offerings.

Through this initiative, SHELLS 4.0 strives to foster educational innovation by promoting more collaborative, cross-institutional hybrid laboratory teaching. By enhancing connectivity between universities, the project strengthens collective offerings and enriches the overall learning experience for students. Qualitative surveys with students and teachers will guide the creation of collaborative courses, helping to reduce barriers to implementing and establishing these teaching models.