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Chapter 21
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-4666-2122-0.ch021
INTRODUCTION
The focus of the studies presented here is to under-
line the valuable role of technological artefacts in
supporting the process of bridging the gap among
the different learning locations characterising
Swiss Vocational Education and Training (VET)
curricula. Each of the two experiments presented
sheds light on the use of a specific technology
(respectively mobile devices and web-based tools
for collaborative writing) in a specific professional
domain to capture the experiences lived by the
Elisa Motta
Swiss Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (SFIVET), Switzerland
Elena Boldrini
Swiss Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (SFIVET), Switzerland
Alberto Cattaneo
Swiss Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (SFIVET), Switzerland
Technologies to “Bridge the
Gap” among Learning Contexts
in Vocational Training
ABSTRACT
The dual-track system characterising Swiss Vocational Education and Training (VET) is based on the
alternation of three learning locations: the school, the training company, and intercompany courses
organised by occupational organisations. In this way, apprentices gain experiences in different contexts,
which then have to be connected in a unique knowledge corpus in order to develop real professional
competences. However, the different decision-making bodies involved in VET perceive a gap in the learn-
ing among the different contexts, for example consistency of work procedures. The two studies presented
here focus on mobile technologies and Web 2.0-supported collaborative writing as examples of the use
of technology in professional education to bridge this gap. The results emerged in terms of ease of use,
perceived usefulness of the artefacts, and in terms of pedagogical added value of the instructional design.
The fndings confrm that the underlying pedagogical model is valuable and further research is warranted.