Didactics in technology

M.Ed. Pia Schäfer

Contact details:
Room: 49 - 310
Mail: Pia.Schaefer(at)cs.rptu.de
Phone: 0631 205 - 5970

Supervision:
Requests for theses: currently possible

Consultation hours:
By appointment & pre-registration by e-mail

Vita

PeriodActivity
since 09/2022Research assistant in the working group subject didactics in technology (Prof. Dr. Leo van Waveren)
06/2021 - 06/2023Research assistant in the Department of Vocational Education for Technical Subjects, University of Hamburg (Prof. Dr. Felix Walker)
10/2021 - 08/2022Research assistant in the Department of Bioprocess Engineering with a focus on subject didactics in technology (Prof. Dr. Roland Ulber)
10/2017 - 09/2021Research assistant in the field of didactics in technology, TU Kaiserslautern (Prof. Dr. Felix Walker)
10/2011 - 09/2017Studies at the TU Kaiserslautern: Bachelor and Master of Education - Teaching degree for vocational schools with the subjects metal technology and sports

Research projects

Funding periodProject nameProject name
04/2026 - 05/2024InterAct (at RPTU)LehrTransfer: Transfer-promoting university teaching - a cross-location blended learning offer
12/2025 - 04.2025RPTUjunior
(RPTU)		Technology in and around the makerspace. Pneumatics, PLC and environmental measuring stations as a vacation offer
09/2025 - 07/2023MINT-ProNeD
(BMBF)		MINT-ProNeD: Professional networks for the promotion of adaptive, process-related digital-supported innovations in STEM teacher training. Project coordination of the Kaiserslautern site, Network 1: Teacher training courses
12/2024 - 06/2024RPTUjunior (RPTU)Pneumatic, practical, gripping: Workshop for smart problem solvers!
10/2023 - 09/2024LehrePlus (RPTU)PoErVi: The potentialof explanatoryvideos- using the example of fault diagnosis in pneumatics
03/2025 - 04/2023InterAct (RPTU)Feedback in technical and scientific experiments: A project for cross-site teaching
12/2023 -
07/2019		U.EDU2
(BMBF)		DEFINE: Promoting fault diagnosis skills in electrical engineering professions - with the help of authentic computer simulations
06/2023 - 09/2020ASCOT+
(BMBF)		TechKom: Technology-based competence measurement and promotion in initial training in electrical engineering and metalworking.
Sub-study 3: Analysis and improvement of IT-based examination tasks
06/2019 -
11/2017		U.EDU
(BMBF)		EELBA: Development and evaluation of a teacher training concept in the field of automation technology
Title of the training course: Didactic aspects of fault diagnosis on industrial automation systems
06/2019 -
11/2017		Mittelstand 4.0
(BMWi)		EELBI4.0: Development and evaluation of a teacher training concept in the field of Industry 4.0
Title of the training courses:
Part 1: Industry 4.0: Identification systems in smart production, implemented using a training demonstrator from SmartFactory KL - suggestions for teaching
Part 2: Industry 4.0: Fundamentals of network technology for Industry 4.0

Publications

2025

  • Boheim, A., Schäfer, P., Brändle, M., Zinn, B., van Waveren, L. & Stemmann, J. (2025). Digitalization-related competences for the teaching profession of technology-related subjects: A model for orientation for educational institutions and first, second and third phase teachers. Available at: https://doi.org/10.18419/opus-16369.
  • Dammann, E., Schäfer, P. & Walker, F. (2025). Difficulty-determining task characteristics in examination tasks in the technical field using the example of the training occupation of mechatronics technician:in. In S. Velten, S. Abele, J. Seifried & J. Warwas (Eds.), Recording and promoting vocational competences: Impulses and innovations from the ASCOT+ initiative (pp. 175-196). wbv publication. Available at: 10.3278/9783763978892.
  • Schäfer, P. & van Waveren, L. (2025). Online and face-to-face training for teachers - a model for successful transfer. Beiträge zur Lehrerinnen- und Lehrerbildung, 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 the didactic teacher training offer in the field of automation technology at vocational schools within Germany. Seminar - Lehrerbildung und Schule, 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 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 edition, 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 training concept. Journal of Technical Education (JOTED), 6 (4), 67-85. accessed 27.02.2019. Available at: JOTED.
  • Link, N., Schäfer, P. & Walker , F. (2018). The Cognitive Apprenticeship Approach. A way to promote failure analysis capability in mechatronic systems. In S. Dietl, H. Schmidt, R. Weiß & W. Wittwer (Eds.), Trainers' handbook. Tasks, strategies and responsibilities for those responsible for initial and continuing training (Update No. 205, pp. 131-152). Cologne: Deutscher Wirtschaftsdienst. Available at: ResearchGate.
  • Walker, F., Link, N., Mohr, F. & Schäfer, P. (2018). Development of an advanced training concept based on the technological-pedagogical content knowledge approach to Industry 4.0. Lernen & Lehren, 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 pupils

  • 18.02.2026, With air to movement. Workshop at the Wipotec Foundation's school vacation program, Kaiserslautern Garden Show.
  • 23.06.2025, Introduction to pneumatics. Visit by pupils from the upper school of the BBS Wittlich.
  • 29-30.10.2024, Pneumatic, Practical, Gripping - Practical introduction to pneumatics. Hacking School, Mainz.
  • 13.09.2024, Look into the black box - How does signal transmission through compressed air work? MINT+ day for schoolgirls at RPTU.
  • 05.09.2024, A look inside the black box: pneumatic circuits - from switch to movement. MI(N)Tmachwelt, Kaiserslautern garden show.
  • 25.06.2024, The laboratory of technology didactics in action. An offer for prospective students as part of the Study Information Day 2024 at RPTU.
  • 19.07.2023, Pneumatics in action. A workshop offer for 7th-12th grade students of the Rittersberg-Gymnasium KL in the Future-Lehr-Lern-Labor at RPTU.
  • 23.05.2023, Find the error! A workshop offer for prospective students as part of the Study Information Day 2023 at RPTU.

 

Interactive workshops for students at RPTU:

  • 06.06.+13.06.2025, Designing university teaching to promote transfer! Interactive workshop as part of the RPTUinteract Project LehrTransfer (Speakers: Pia Schäfer, Jun.Prof. Susanne Wißhak and Alisha Koch).
  • 14.02.2025, Designing university teaching to promote transfer! Interactive workshop as part of the RPTUinteract Project LehrTransfer (Speakers: Pia Schäfer, Jun.Prof. Susanne Wißhak and Alisha Koch).
  • 18.12.2024, Design feedback for effective learning! Design criteria for feedback in technical experiments. Interactive workshop as part of the RPTUinteract project "Feedback in technical and scientific experiments" (Speakers: Pia Schäfer and Silke Feifel).
  • 01.08.2024, Quality characteristics of explanatory videos. Interactive workshop on the creation and evaluation of explanatory videos (Speaker: Pia Schäfer)
  • 13.03.2024, Making feedback effective for learning! Interactive lecture on design criteria for feedback using the example of experiments. Interactive workshop as part of the RPTUinteract project "Feedback in technical and scientific experiments" (Speakers: Pia Schäfer and Silke Feifel).

 

Interactive workshops on the topic of fault diagnosis in automation technology from the DEFINE project, for trainee electronics technicians for automation technology, electronics technicians for industrial engineering and mechatronics technicians, each in their 3rd year of training

  • 15.03.2023, BBS1 Kaiserslautern
  • 13.04.2023, BBS1 Kaiserslautern
  • 21.06.2023, BBS Wittlich
  • 28.06.2023, BBS1 Kaiserslautern
  • 03.07.2023, BBS1 Mainz
  • 05.07.2023, BBS1 Ludwigshafen
  • 12.07.2023, BBS1 Ludwigshafen

 

Further training for teachers:

Further training courses

  • 06.02.2026, Interactive workshop on the topic of giving feedback effectively for learning - also in the classroom, TU-MINT network meeting, RPTU in Kaiserslautern (speaker: Pia Schäfer)

Training course on the topic of STEM meets technology - identifying links between STEM subjects and technical topics from the MINT-ProNeD project, for teachers from Rhineland-Palatinate (speaker: Pia Schäfer)

  • 24.06.2025, offer in cooperation with the Pädagogisches Landesinstitut at RPTU in Kaiserslautern
  • 03.06.2025, offer as part of the iMedia 2025 in Ingelheim
  • 14.02.2025, offer as part of the TU-MINT network schools network day at RPTU in Kaiserslautern
  • 08.11.2024, offer as part of the Pfalzmetall Foundation advanced training at RPTU in Kaiserslautern

Further training offer on the subject of didactic aspects of fault diagnosis on industrial automation systems from the EELBA project, for teachers from Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland (speaker: Pia Schäfer)

  • 21.11.2017, TU Kaiserslautern
  • 02.05.2018, TU Kaiserslautern
  • 26.09.2018, TU Kaiserslautern
  • 13.11.2018, TU Kaiserslautern
  • 21.11.2018, TG BBZ Neunkirchen
  • 22.11.2018, GuT BBS Trier
  • 06.02.2019, TU Kaiserslautern
  • 14.02.2019, BBZ Homburg
  • 09.04.2019, BBZ Völklingen
  • 17.05.2019, BBS Südliche Weinstraße (Bad Bergzabern)
  • 23.05.2019, TU Kaiserslautern

Training series on the topic of Industry 4.0 from the EELBI 4.0 project, for teachers from Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland (speakers: Nico Link & Pia Schäfer), implemented on a training demonstrator of the Smart Factory KL

  • 07.06.2018, Mittelstand4.0 Competence Center Kaiserslautern: Industry 4.0: Identification systems in smart production (part 1)
  • 30.10.2018, Mittelstand4.0 Competence Center Kaiserslautern: Industry 4.0: Fundamentals of network technology for Industry 4.0 (Part 2)