The Project Rationale

The added value of learning-by-doing

FabLabs are shared workshops where students can access equipment and technologies to design and create footwear products, components, or accessories. They build on the learning-by-doing methodology that relies on simulations and experiential learning, allowing students to apply knowledge learned in classrooms to real-world situations.

The digitalFABLAB project will draw upon the new opportunities offered by Augmented Reality to propose a fully digital, immersive, accessiblefrom-anywhere, and appealing footwear FabLab that will provide an incomparable learning-by-doing experience to a wide audience. Students will learn how to solve problems in context, test their own knowledge, and apply it to practical problems. Because it is digital, the FabLab will also enhance students’ technological understanding and improve their digital literacy. In addition, the digital FabLab will offer engaging, attractive and up-to-date learning methods that today’s students are fond of, reach new potential footwear professionals by broadening the geographical scope of footwear VET, and allow footwear VET to keep up with the new reality induced by COVID-19.

Ensuring technology adoption across Europe

Along with the digital Fablab, project partners will elaborate a joint international course, certified at national level and recognised at EU level, for the development of practical skills for footwear students and other people interested in joining the sector. Because integrating new tools in education programmes efficiently needs practice, project partners will also develop a common methodology for Augmented Reality geared toward footwear VET teachers. It will ensure that teachers can learn how to master the programme and fully incorporate the digital FabLab into their regular curricula in a compelling way for their students.

Learning-by-doing is essential to acquire the right skills to produce quality footwear. By simulating real-world experiences with latest digital technologies, the project’s digital FabLab will offer a stimulating experience to students. In addition to its appeal, this FabLab – and the associated courses –will be accessible from anywhere in Europe, making it possible to reach new potential footwear professionals. Because Augmented Reality is still a fairly new technology, the project will also guide teachers to guarantee its good adoption and ensure that the tool is blended into learning programmes and used to its full capacity.