More than 200 students have worked together with seven SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) to develop digital solutions to real-world business challenges.
The purpose of the UoL4.0 Challenge, part of the COM3 pilot at Lincolnshire, is twofold.
On one hand is to support the development of highly engaged, employable and creative-thinking students who contribute to the development of society and the economy; on the other, for businesses to connect their new commercial ideas with their potential markets, through the development and use of digital technologies. All of these from a sustainable community perspective.
As a result, the UoL4.0 Challenge was developed, an adaptation to the challenge-based learning approach. Challenge-based learning (CBL) is a cutting-edge educational approach that integrates traditional learning modules (theory and practice) and real-life challenges that require solutions. Learning modules are specifically designed to provide the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge to solve the challenges.
Between January to May 2020, the UoL4.0 Challenge was implemented within an undergraduate module on Operations Management, with a focus on industry 4.0 technologies to support SMEs in their exploration of what digital technologies can do to support their businesses’ performance.
More than 200 students organised in 35 teams worked with seven SMEs to present digital solutions to real-world business challenges.
Students presented their findings in a series of posters, which constituted a digital exposition, of what was explored, how was it solved, the benefits and limitations to their solutions, and a reflection about their first-hand experiences.
Results suggest that the UoL4.0 Challenge and the CBL approach increase students’ understanding of operations management in real-life settings, and help the students’ development of 21st century skills.
It also demonstrates the interest of SMEs in exploring use of digital technologies to improve their performance, and build their resilience, through more digitally-based sustainable practices.
Another contribution from this step of the COM3 pilot project is the conceptualization, implementation and evaluation of a CBL approach for teaching undergraduate complex modules.
In particular, students found that participating in UoL4.0 Challenge helped them to understand how theoretical tools and concepts can be implemented in real-life settings.
It enabled them to explore the potential of industry 4.0 technologies in devising operational solutions. Furthermore, UoL4.0 Challenge was reported by students as conducive for their development of 21st century skills, such as adaptability, collaboration, problem solving, communication, creativity and innovation.
Finally, students experienced what it may mean to work in the “new normal”. Circumstances associated with COVID-19, such as social distancing, demanded the closure of physical educational facilities. Students and SMEs were very agile to move into a new digital workspace, where they continue to experience the advantages and limitations of working online.
Watch the UoL 4.0 Challenge Award ceremony, here: