Dipl.-Ing. Hans Bernd „Ben“ Richter, Oberstudiendirektor a. D. (TVET SOLUTION – Germany)
More than 40 working years in the field of vocational training as a student at a vocational school, trainee, engineer, vocational school teacher at a vocational school, head of department at a vocational school and finally headmaster of a vocational school.
More than 30 years of experience in IT technology, computer program development, computer networking and computer-assisted learning.
More than 20 years of school development and leadership experience through the establishment of an independent school with an ISO certified quality management system committed to learning. Successful school development experience based on the 4 pillar model. Close and successful cooperation with the training industry and its associations as well as regional and superordinate political institutions.
Great commitment to sustainable and successful learning in all its dimensions in vocational education and training. Very extensive experience in personnel development measures in a teacher context through intensive feedback during classroom visits.
More than 10 years experience in international education training for teachers and school managers from Indonesia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam. Most recently team leader, coordinator and trainer in a comprehensive 2-year TVET-teachers training program in Palestine together with Dr. Busaina Nazzal (national long term expert).
Effective teaching and learning techniques
Due to the Corona pandemic, we were forced last year to use distance learning as opposed to the usual face-to-face learning. In the discussion, the impression often arose that these are two opposing elements that have nothing or at least little to do with each other and that one has to completely change or redevelop one’s learning and teaching materials. In the case of teaching that is characterised by a strong lecture style and has little action orientation, this is even true. But these teaching methods are demonstrably ineffective anyway and should be changed. If this were the consequence of the new type of distance learning, then the pandemic would also have its good side, in that it would favour or accelerate conversion processes in the teaching industry.
Learning from the learner’s point of view has not fundamentally changed because of the distance to the teacher.
Certain basic rules for sustainable learning still apply, such as problem-solving techniques like the didactics of crime, such as sensory learning through the application of the VAKOG design, such as the relationship design between learners and teachers, such as the orientation towards learning products, such as the focus on attention, such as the learning field orientation and such as the “complete action” as an organising principle, to name just a few of the elements that are characteristic of vocational education in general.
Sustainable competence-based learning can therefore be successfully applied in different learning environments. Whether distance or face-to-face learning takes place, the learning process should have certain core elements so that it can be successful for the learner.