Reference Architecture for an Integrated and Synergetic Use of Digital Tools in Education 4.0

Due to the fourth industrial revolution, the so-called Industry 4.0, which is changing industries worldwide, the requirements for education systems are changing. Employees that are working in an Industry 4.0 environment need a certain set of competencies from different categories. Including technical, methodological, social, and personal competencies. Engineering Education 4.0 aims to create a new educational paradigm that prepares tomorrow’s workforce for these challenges of Industry 4.0. This is also achieved through the introduction of new didactic concepts such as blended learning, which combines the advantages of face-to-face and distance learning as well through the utilization of digital education tools that can help to develop those competencies. The current Covid-19 pandemic has led to a huge and rapid increase in users of digital tools in education, resulting in the need for guidelines for their implementation. Thus, this work aims to develop a reference architecture for an integrated and efficient use of such digital tools in education 4.0. The proposed reference architecture enables instructors and managers of engineering education institutions to take advantage of an integrated and synergetic use of such digital tools in a post-pandemic new normal. Further top barriers for the introduction of education 4.0 have been identified and described.