M.Ed. Pia Schäfer

2026

• Schäfer, P., Boheim, A., Brändle, M., Stemmann, J., Zinn, B., & van Waveren, L. (2026). DiKoLAT – Digital Competencies for Teachers of Technology-Related Subjects. In K. Scheiter, D. Richter, D. Pittich & L. Halbrock (Eds.), Professional Practice in a Culture of Digitality: Findings from the MINT Competence Center (pp. 293–306). Waxmann. Available at: https://doi.org/10.31244/9783818851507.
• Schäfer, P., Feifel, S., & van Waveren, L. (2026). A Practical Teaching Example for Student Feedback. Journal of Teaching Practice and Research in General Technology Education (tedu), 6(1), 15–21. Available at: ResearchGate.
• Schäfer, P., Koch, A., & Wißhak, S. (2026). Basic structure of the generic supply and usage model for university-level teaching. RPTU University Kaiserslautern-Landau (RPTU). Available at: https://doi.org/10.26204/KLUEDO/13141.
• Scheller, L.-M., Hartnack, L., Koch, A., Schäfer, P., & Wißhak, S. (2026). Methods to Promote Learning Transfer in Higher Education. A Reader on Methods. RPTU University Kaiserslautern-Landau (RPTU). Available at: https://doi.org/10.26204/KLUEDO/11741.

2025

• Boheim, A., Schäfer, P., Brändle, M., Zinn, B., van Waveren, L., & Stemmann, J. (2025). Digital Competencies for Teachers of Technology-Related Subjects: A Model to Guide Educational Institutions and Teachers in the First, Second, and Third Phases. Available at: https://doi.org/10.18419/opus-16369.
• Dammann, E., Schäfer, P., & Walker, F. (2025). Task characteristics that determine difficulty in technical examination questions, using the example of the mechatronics technician apprenticeship. In S. Velten, S. Abele, J. Seifried & J. Warwas (Eds.), Assessing and Promoting Vocational Competencies: Insights and Innovations from the ASCOT+ Initiative (pp. 175–196). wbv Publication. Available at: 10.3278/9783763978892.
• Schäfer, P. & van Waveren, L. (2025). Online and In-Person Professional Development for Teachers—A Model for Successful Transfer. Contributions to Teacher Education, 43 (1), 120–135. Available at: 10.36950/bzl.43.1.2025.10392.
• Wisshak, S., Schäfer, P., & van Waveren, L. (2025). Train-the-Trainer: A Generic Offer-and-Use Model for the Development of Trainers. International Journal of Training and Development. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/ijtd.12370.

2020

• Schäfer, P., Huber, C., & Walker, F. (2020). An Analysis of Teacher Professional Development Programs in the Field of Automation Technology at Vocational Schools in Germany. Seminar—Teacher Education and School, 26(1), 84–94. Available at: ResearchGate.
• Schäfer, P., Link, N., & Walker, F. (2020). Assessing Professional Knowledge of Teachers at Vocational Schools: Using the Example of a Professional Development Program for Automation and Digitized Production. In E. Wuttke, J. Seifried, & H. M. Niegemann (Eds.), Vocational education and training in the age of digitization. Challenges and opportunities (Research in Vocational Education, Vol. 4, 1st ed., pp. 131–156). Opladen: Verlag Barbara Budrich. Available at: ResearchGate.

2018

• Schäfer, P. & Walker, F. (2018). Problem Solving in the Field of Automation Technology. Development and Evaluation of a Teacher Professional Development Program. Journal of Technical Education (JOTED), 6 ( 4), 67–85. Accessed on Feb. 27, 2019. Available at: JOTED.
• Link, N., Schäfer, P., & Walker, F. (2018). The Cognitive Apprenticeship Approach. A Method for Promoting Error Analysis Skills in Mechatronic Systems. In S. Dietl, H. Schmidt, R. Weiß, & W. Wittwer (Eds.), Trainer’s Handbook: Tasks, Strategies, and Responsibilities for Those in Charge of Training and Continuing Education (Update No. 205, pp. 131–152). Cologne: Deutscher Wirtschaftsdienst. Available at: ResearchGate.
• Walker, F., Link, N., Mohr, F., & Schäfer, P. (2018). Development of a Continuing Education Concept Based on the Technological-Pedagogical Content Knowledge Approach to Industry 4.0. Learning & Teaching, 33 ( 130), 53–59.

2025

• Burkhart, J., Schäfer, P., Becker, M., & van Waveren, L. (2025). Job satisfaction and perceived training needs of teachers. Results of a needs assessment. 12th Conference of the Society for Empirical Educational Research (GEBF), Mannheim.
• Schäfer, P. (2025). What does the effectiveness of in-service training depend on? Consideration of a supply and usage model for analog and digital teacher training. Research colloquium of the Institute for Company Pedagogy/ Personnel Development, Landau.

2024

• Burkhart, J., Becker, M., Schäfer, P., Ferner, S. & van Waveren, L. (2024). Needs assessments as a basis for the development of offers for teachers in technology. 9th JOTED Technology Didactics Symposium, Munich.
• Schäfer, P., Becker, M., Burkhart, J. & van Waveren, L. (2024). MINT-ProNeD - BBS technology. Jointly designed offers for teachers on adaptivity in the classroom. lernen:digital Kongress, Potsdam.
• Thyssen, C., Schäfer, P. & Becker, M. (2024). We already do a lot! Do we need a Whole School Approach to Digitalization? iMedia, Ingelheim, Germany.
• Schäfer, P., Walker, F. & van Waveren, L. (2024). Comparison of two representation types of digital feedback in a simulation - request- and trigger-based feedack. 11th Annual Conference of the GEBF (Society for Empirical Educational Research), Potsdam, Germany.
• Dammann, E., Schäfer, P. & Walker, F. (2024). Difficulty-determining task characteristics in technical examination tasks. 11th Annual Conference of the GEBF (Society for Empirical Educational Research), Potsdam, Germany.

2023

• Schäfer, P., Walker, F. & van Waveren, L. (2023). Feedback that is effective for learning? Differences between inquiry-based and trigger-based feedback in error diagnosis. 8th Technology Didactics Symposium, Darmstadt, Germany.
• Dammann, E., Schäfer, P. & Walker, F. (2023). Difficulty-determining task characteristics in examination tasks in the technical field. 8th Technology Didactics Symposium, Darmstadt, Germany.
• Ferner, S., Schäfer, P. & Walker, F.: Technologiebasierte Förderung der analytischen Problemlöskompetenz (aPLK) auf Basis des Cognitive Apprenticeship Ansatzes und durch das adaptive tutorielle Feedback. 10th Annual Conference of the GEBF (Society for Empirical Educational Research), Essen, Germany.

2022

• Ferner, S., Schäfer, P. & Walker F. (2022). Technology-based promotion of analytical problem-solving skills in initial electrical engineering education.7th Technology Didactics Symposium, Stuttgart, Germany.
• Schäfer, P., Dammann, E. & Walker F. (2022). Difficulty-determining task characteristics in examination tasks in the industrial-technical field Project TechKom. 7th Technology Didactics Symposium, Stuttgart, Germany.
• Schäfer, P. & Walker, F. (2022). Different Feedback Options in Digital Learning Environments for Teacher Training and Interventions with Apprentices. 11th International conference of the EARLI SIG 14 Learning and Professional Development, Paderborn, Germany.
• Schäfer, P., Meyer, T. & Dammann, E. (2022). Design of examination tasks. TechKom project. ASCOT+ Intermediate Conference, Bonn, Germany.

2021

• Schäfer, P. & Walker, F. (2021). Promoting the didactic knowledge of teachers at vocational schools through the use of a digital computer simulation in the field of automation technology. Digital conference of the Society for Empirical Educational Research (DigiGEBF).

2019

• Schäfer, P. & Link, N. (2019). Implementation of Industry 4.0 in BBS lessons. Rhineland-Palatinate Vocational School Day, Kaiserslautern, Germany.
• Schäfer, P. & Walker, F. (2019). Technology-based assessment of professional competence of teachers at vocational schools. Nexus Conference, Kaiserslautern, Germany.
• Walker, F. & Schäfer, P. (2019). Results of an Evaluation Study of Vocational Teachers in the Field of Automation Technology. 18th Biennial European Conference for Research on Learning and Instruction (EARLI), Aachen, Germany.
• Schäfer, P. & Walker, F. (2019). Development and evaluation of a teacher training concept to promote didactic knowledge in the field of automation technology. Conference of the Quality Offensive Teacher Training, Freiburg, Germany.

2018

• Schäfer, P. & Walker, F. (2018). Domain-specific problem solving in the field of automation technology - Development and evaluation of a teacher training concept. 3rd Technology Didactics Symposium, Essen, Germany.
• Link, N., Walker, F. & Schäfer, P. (2018). Teacher Education in the Context of Industry 4.0. 20th Fall Conference of the Association of Industrial-Technical Sciences and their Didactics, Magdeburg, Germany.
• Schäfer, P., Walker, F. & Link, N. (2018). First results of the evaluation of a teacher training concept in the field of automation technology. 20th Fall Conference of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Gewerblich-Technische Wissenschaften und ihre Didaktiken, Magdeburg, Germany.
• Link, N., Walker, F. & Schäfer, P. (2018). Professionalism of Technical Vocational Education and Training-Teachers for Industry 4.0 based on the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) approach. 9th International conference of the EARLI SIG 14 Learning and Professional Development, Geneva, Switzerland.
• Schäfer, P., Link, N. & Walker, F. (2018). Development and Evaluation of a Teacher Training Concept in the Field of Automation Technology. 9th International conference of the EARLI SIG 14 Learning and Professional Development, Geneva, Switzerland.
• Schäfer, P. & Walker, F. (2018). Promoting teachers' professional knowledge of domain-specific problem solving in the field of automation technology. Annual Conference of the Section for Vocational and Business Education, Frankfurt a.M., Germany.
• Schäfer, P. & Walker, F. (2018). Development of Professional Knowledge in Vocational Teacher Training in the Field of Automation Technology. International Conference: The Interplay of Theory and Practice in Teacher Education (MoSAiK Conference), Koblenz, Germany.
• Schäfer, P. & Walker, F. (2018). "Debugging 4.0. Teacher training on fault diagnosis in the field of automation technology, 14th iMedia, Mainz, Germany.

2026

• Schäfer, P.; Hartnack, L.; Scheller, L.-M.; Koch, A. & Wisshak, S. (2026). Designing university teaching to promote transfer. A supply and utilization model. Poster at the Teaching-Learning Conference, 12.03.2026, Kaiserslautern.

2025

• Feifel, S. & Schäfer, P. (2025). Feedback and error monitoring in the SciTec student laboratory. Poster at the LeLa conference, 11.03.2025, Oldenburg.
• Schäfer, P., Faath-Becker, A. & van Waveren, L. (2025). Effective learning in pneumatics - the potential of explanatory videos in fault diagnosis. Poster at the workshop Lehre Plus of the RPTU, 19.02.2025, Kaiserslautern.
• Schäfer,P., Hornig, S. & Becker, M. (2025). Gender differences in technology readiness during a grammar school project week. Poster at the Gender and Diversity Research Day at RPTU, 27.05.2025, Landau.

2024

• Andres, J., Becker, M., Brechters, T., Burkhart, J., Schäfer, P., Spanier, M., van Waveren, L. & Thyssen C. (2024). MINT-ProNeD-RPTU. Poster at the market stand of the lernen:digital congress, 02.10.2024, Potsdam.
• Becker, M., Schäfer, P., Burkhart, J. & van Waveren, L. (2024). AR prototype from the Future Innovation Hub for adaptive support in the construction of pneumatic circuits. Poster at the market stand of the lernen:digital congress, 02.10.2024, Potsdam.
• Schäfer, P., Ferner, S. & van Waveren, L. (2024). Who does that? Fitting problems between studies and school practice. iMedia, Ingelheim, Germany.

2022

• Schäfer, P. & Walker F. (2022). Feedback in a digital learning environment to promote analytical problem solving in automation technology. 7th technical didactic symposium, Stuttgart, Germany. (Poster prize: 2nd place)
• Schäfer , P., Dammann, E. & Walker, F. (2022). Technology-based competence measurement and promotion in electrotechnical and metal-technical initial training. ASCOT+ Intermediate Conference, Bonn, Germany.

2021

• Schäfer, P. & Walker, F. (2021). Development and evaluation of a teacher training concept with a didactic focus to promote domain-specific problem solving in the field of automation technology, 3rd program congress of the "Qualitätsoffensive Lehrerbildung", Berlin, Germany.
• Schäfer, P. & Walker, F. (2021). TPACK - Ein Rahmenmodell zur Förderung des domänenspezifischen Problemlösens, 6th Technology Didactics Symposium, Raitenhaslach, Germany.

2019

• Schäfer, P. & Walker, F. (2019). Promotion of fault diagnosis skills in electrical engineering professions -with the help of authentic computer simulations- DEFINE. Kaiserslautern, Germany.
• Schäfer, P. & Walker, F. (2019). Effectiveness of teacher training in the field of automation technology. 53rd seminar day of the Bundesarbeitskreis der Seminar- und Fachleiter/innen e.V., Kaiserslautern, Germany.
• Schäfer, P. & Walker, F. (2019). Effectiveness of teacher training in the field of automation technology. 4th Technology Didactics Symposium, Darmstadt, Germany. (Poster prize: 3rd place)

2018

• Schäfer, P., Walker, F. & van Waveren, L. (2018). First results of piloting the teacher training concept EELBA. U.EDU symposium, Kaiserslautern, Germany.
• Schäfer, P., Walker, F. & van Waveren, L. (2018). Development of Professional Knowledge in Vocational Teacher Training in the Field of Automation Technology. International Conference: The Interplay of Theory and Practice in Teacher Education (MoSAiK Conference), Koblenz, Germany.
• Schäfer, P. (2018). Development and evaluation of a teacher training concept in the field of automation technology. (Handout) Conference of the Netzwerk Lehrerbildungs-Nachwuchskolleg, Jena, Germany.

2017

• Schäfer, P., van Waveren, L. & Walker, F. (2017). Development and evaluation of a teacher training concept in the field of automation technology [EELBA]. Conference of the Qualitätsoffensive Lehrerbildung, Kassel, Germany.

Workshops:

Interactive Workshops for Students

• July 21, 2026, “Using Air to Create Movement” (Grades 8–13), MI(N)Tmachwelt, Kaiserslautern Garden Show.
• July 9, 2026, “Using Air to Create Motion” (Grades 3–6), workshop as part of the Wipotec Foundation’s student summer program, at RPTU Kaiserslautern.
• May 26, 2026, “Using Air to Create Motion” (Grades 10–12), workshop at TWG TechnikTag, Dillingen.
• February 18, 2026, “Movement with Air” (Grades 5–8), workshop as part of the Wipotec Foundation’s summer program for students, Kaiserslautern Garden Show.
• June 23, 2025, Introduction to Pneumatics. (Grades 10–12), Visit by high school students from BBS Wittlich.
• October 29–30, 2024, Pneumatic, Practical, Exciting—A Hands-On Introduction to Pneumatics. (Grades 10–12), Hacking School, Mainz.
• September 13, 2024, A Look Inside the Black Box—How Does Signal Transmission via Compressed Air Work? (Grades 10–13), MINT+ Girls’ Day at RPTU.
• September 5, 2024, A Look Inside the Black Box: Pneumatic Circuits—From Switch to Motion. (Grades 8–13), MI(N)Tmachwelt, Kaiserslautern Garden Show.
• June 25, 2024, The Technology Education Lab in Action. An event for prospective students as part of the RPTU’s 2024 College Information Day.
• July 19, 2023, Pneumatics in Action. (Grades 7–12), Workshop for students at Rittersberg High School in Kaiserslautern at the RPTU’s Future Teaching and Learning Lab.
• May 23, 2023, Spot the Error! A workshop for prospective students as part of the RPTU’s 2023 College Information Day.

Interactive workshops for RPTU members:

• June 6 & 13, 2025, Designing University Teaching to Promote Knowledge Transfer! Interactive workshop as part of the RPTUinteract Project “LehrTransfer” (presenters: Pia Schäfer, Jun.Prof. Susanne Wißhak, and Alisha Koch).
• February 14, 2025, Designing university teaching to promote knowledge transfer! Interactive workshop as part of the RPTUinteract project “LehrTransfer” (presenters: Pia Schäfer, Jun.Prof. Susanne Wißhak, and Alisha Koch).
• December 18, 2024, Designing Feedback to Promote Learning! Design criteria for feedback in technical experiments. Interactive workshop as part of the RPTUinteract project “Feedback in Technical and Scientific Experiments” (presenters: Pia Schäfer and Silke Feifel).
• August 1, 2024, Quality Characteristics of Explanatory Videos. Interactive workshop on creating and evaluating explanatory videos (Presenter: Pia Schäfer)
• March 13, 2024, Designing Feedback for Effective Learning! Interactive presentation on design criteria for feedback using experiments as examples. Interactive workshop as part of the RPTUinteract project “Feedback in Technical and Scientific Experiments” (Presenters: Pia Schäfer and Silke Feifel).

Interactive workshops on fault diagnosis in automation technology from the DEFINE project, for apprentices studying to become electronics technicians for automation technology, electronics technicians for industrial engineering, and mechatronics technicians, all in their third year of training

• March 15, 2023, BBS1 Kaiserslautern
• April 13, 2023, BBS1 Kaiserslautern
• June 21, 2023, BBS Wittlich
• June 28, 2023, BBS1 Kaiserslautern
• July 3, 2023, BBS1 Mainz
• July 5, 2023, BBS1 Ludwigshafen
• July 12, 2023, BBS1 Ludwigshafen

Professional Development for Teachers:

Additional professional development opportunities

• February 6, 2026, Interactive workshop on “Designing Feedback for Effective Learning—Even in the Classroom,” TU-MINT Network Meeting, RPTU in Kaiserslautern (Presenter: Pia Schäfer)

Professional development session on “STEM Meets Technology—Identifying Connections Between STEM Subjects and Technical Topics” from the MINT-ProNeD project, for teachers from Rhineland-Palatinate (Presenter: Pia Schäfer)

• June 24, 2025, Program in cooperation with the State Institute of Education at RPTU in Kaiserslautern
• June 3, 2025, event held as part of iMedia 2025 in Ingelheim
• February 14, 2025, offered as part of the TU-MINT Network Schools Network Day at RPTU in Kaiserslautern
• November 8, 2024, offered as part of the Pfalzmetall Foundation’s continuing education program at RPTU in Kaiserslautern

Professional development session on “Subject-Specific Didactic Aspects of Fault Diagnosis in Industry-Related Automation Systems” from the EELBA project, for teachers from Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland (Presenter: Pia Schäfer)

• November 21, 2017, TU Kaiserslautern
• May 2, 2018, TU Kaiserslautern
• September 26, 2018, TU Kaiserslautern
• November 13, 2018, Technical University of Kaiserslautern
• November 21, 2018, TG BBZ Neunkirchen
• November 22, 2018, GuT BBS Trier
• February 6, 2019, TU Kaiserslautern
• February 14, 2019, BBZ Homburg
• April 9, 2019, BBZ Völklingen
• May 17, 2019, BBS Südliche Weinstraße (Bad Bergzabern)
• May 23, 2019, TU Kaiserslautern

Training series on Industry 4.0 from the EELBI 4.0 project, for teachers from Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland (presenters: Nico Link & Pia Schäfer), conducted using a training demonstrator at the Smart Factory KL

• June 7, 2018, Mittelstand4.0 Competence Center Kaiserslautern: Industry 4.0: Identification Systems in Smart Production (Part 1)
• October 30, 2018, Mittelstand4.0 Competence Center Kaiserslautern: Industry 4.0: Fundamentals of Network Technology for Industry 4.0 (Part 2)