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In 2014, the "Stifterverband der deutschen Wissenschaft" in cooperation with the "Daimler und Benz Stiftung" and the "Daimler-Fonds" announced a competition to identify the best examples of digital education and information services at state and state-approved institutions of higher education in Germany.

On the 16th of April 2015, the thrilling final round consisting of the 16 best projects took place in Berlin, Germany. GET Lab received one of the prices, valued at € 50.000, for the project I-WIRE - Internationalization through Web-based Interactive Robotics Education. GET Lab was represented by Prof. Bärbel Mertsching, Daniel Nickchen and Markus Hennig. They were supported on site by Prof. Gudrun Oevel, CIO of the University of Paderborn and Member of the executive committee.

I-WIRE aims at developing an interactive web-based e-learning platform in English, which is available to robotic enthusiasts world wide and facilitates the acquisition of required knowledge and the interdisciplinary knowledge transfer in the domain of robotics. Furthermore, the system contributes to the internationalisation of STEM subjects. Using blended learning scenarios for teaching mathematical and domain-specific skills - here for the courses on robotics - an individualized curriculum for German and international students based on digital content is made possible.

Based on running and completed interventions in teaching and embedded into the international master programs in electrical systems engineering (MS ESE) and computer engineering at the University of Paderborn, a new innovative tool employed to prepare students for the study program and the challenges of the subject matter of robotic courses of Prof. Mertsching is being developed. In a blended learning scenario, theory and practice are united. The platform is used to convey mathematical and domain-specific skills. Using explanatory articles, exercises for self evaluation, as well as interactive multimedia applications, individual areas are covered and learned in a manner which fits the individual needs and requirements of the student. Furthermore, the platform advertises the domain of robotics as well as the related programmes at the University of Paderborn to interested individuals world wide and therefore supports the internationalisation and international exchange of expertise. The platform is created in cooperation with international partners. The system is to be developed further to enable online-assessment. I-WIRE is integrated into a number of additional approaches to optimize the the available programs at the University of Paderborn for international students.

Further details on the competition can be found here (only available in German):

http://www.stifterverband.info/wissenschaft_und_hochschule/hochschulen_im_wettbewerb/minternational/digital/index.html