Holger Weitzel

Dr. Holger Weitzel

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Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

8Years (2019-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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13 December 2021 in Sustainability
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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CDCharlotte Sophia Diepolder
Charlotte Sophia Diepolder
HWHolger Weitzel
Holger Weitzel
Johannes HuwerJohannes Huwer
Johannes Huwer
The importance of the transformation to a sustainable economy for the protection from global crises such as climate change is widely recognized. Sustainable entrepreneurs are considered to play a key role in this transformation process as they create innovative market solutions with ecological, social, and economic value. So far, there is no consensus on competences students need to solve sustainability challenges as sustainable entrepreneurs. The aim of this article is to identify competence frameworks that enable competence-oriented education of future sustainable entrepreneurs. An academic search engine and a bibliographic database were screened for documents written in English and published between January 2010 and November 2020 to identify the existing competence frameworks discussed in the current literature in the field of Sustainable Entrepreneurial Education (SEE). The review process led to a set of 65 empirical and nonempirical works on SEE. A computer-assisted qualitative data analysis was used for this review. The data analysis showed an increasing number of SEE articles published over the last decade mostly in scientific journals (69.2%). Fifty-six (86.2%) of publications related to tertiary education. The data analysis revealed three stand-alone competence frameworks for Sustainable Entrepreneurship (SE). The frameworks show an overlap in content but differences in terms of construction, validation, complexity. All competence frameworks were developed for use in higher education institutions, which necessitates adaptation for use in other educational institutions. The analysis of 28 SEE interventions identified in the literature provides information on the reception of the frameworks for competence-based teaching and assessment.

26 October 2023 in Sustainability
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Journal Article
Open access
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VCValerie Czok
Valerie Czok
MKManuel Krug
Manuel Krug
SMSascha Müller
Sascha Müller
Johannes HuwerJohannes Huwer
Johannes Huwer
HWHolger Weitzel
Holger Weitzel
In the course of digitalization, new technologies and innovations are continuously introduced to the educational sector. For instance, augmented reality (AR) is increasingly applied in science teaching in both school and higher education. Combining real and virtual content potentially enhances interactivity and understanding of the learning process. This teaching and learning approach can positively impact various learning outcomes, such as learning gains and motivation. This paper aims to investigate the positive learning effects of AR using a game-based AR learning environment: “Beat the Beast”. In line with the concept of an education for sustainable development (ESD) topic, microplastics, this learning environment follows an interdisciplinary approach, combining the subjects of biology, chemistry, and engineering. To determine and distinguish the effects of implementing the technology AR in science learning environments as well as the principles of game-based learning, we contrasted the learning environment into two factors: one with AR and one without AR and the other with a game and without a game. A quasi-experimental design with 203 pre-service teachers of the first semester of all subjects was chosen to evaluate the four different types of settings with questionnaires on motivation, technology acceptance, user engagement, cognitive load, computer self-efficacy, knowledge, and ESD outcomes in higher education. Our research demonstrates that although augmented reality (AR) imposes a relatively elevated cognitive load, it does not negatively affect learning effects. In spite of the increased cognitive load, learners in AR settings do not exhibit lesser knowledge acquisition compared to those in alternative environments. Moreover, our investigation highlights AR’s potential to amplify motivation and user engagement. Contrary to expectations, in the context of the selected subject matter and target audience, game-based adaptations of the educational environment fail to enhance learning outcomes. These versions actually underperform compared to other formats in both motivational and engagement metrics.

11 September 2023 in Education Sciences
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Journal Article
Open access
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VCValerie Czok
Valerie Czok
MKManuel Krug
Manuel Krug
SMSascha Müller
Sascha Müller
Johannes HuwerJohannes Huwer
Johannes Huwer
SKStefan Kruse
Stefan Kruse
HWHolger Weitzel
Holger Weitzel
As augmented reality (AR) becomes a promising technology for use in science and engineering teaching, the need for generally valid criteria and frameworks for the analysis, development, and setup of AR applications arises. In this article, we present an evaluations matrix to analyze current augmented reality approaches for life science teaching (biology, chemistry) and engineering and simultaneously provide directives for future augmented reality application designs. Based on an extensive literature review followed by focus group discussions with experts, the evaluation matrix combines domain-specific aspects, technical features, and subject and media didactical principles to determine seven select parameters. This ensures adequate coverage of the broad range of key considerations in the development of augmented reality technology for science and engineering teaching. Through cluster analysis, two groups of applications could be identified. The first group comprises applications whose development was more technology-driven. Applications in the second group take more didactic criteria into account and are to be considered more holistically from an instructional perspective. No correlation could be observed between the design of the AR application and the intended learning effects. The parameters derived for the evaluation matrix contribute to specifying relevant criteria for the development of AR applications.

18 February 2025 in Sustainable Technology and Entrepreneurship
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
CDCharlotte Sophia Diepolder
Charlotte Sophia Diepolder
Johannes HuwerJohannes Huwer
Johannes Huwer
HWHolger Weitzel
Holger Weitzel

9 February 2024 in Sustainability
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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CDCharlotte Sophia Diepolder
Charlotte Sophia Diepolder
HWHolger Weitzel
Holger Weitzel
Johannes HuwerJohannes Huwer
Johannes Huwer
The transformation toward a sustainable economy is considered one of the most effective measures to accelerate the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals for 2030. Sustainable entrepreneurs contribute to this transformation by identifying and exploiting business opportunities based on sustainability challenges such as biodiversity loss. Recognizing a business opportunity to achieve sustainable development characterizes the beginning of the sustainable entrepreneurial process. Sustainable entrepreneurship education (SEE) aims to foster skills, knowledge, and attitudes to accomplish tasks within this complex process. Role models are a common pedagogical instrument in educational settings, such as SEE at higher education institutions, where sustainable entrepreneurs are integrated into the curriculum to enhance learning outcomes. Given the limited research on SEE for secondary education, an exploratory study is conducted to investigate the effects of sustainable entrepreneurial role models on opportunity recognition for sustainable development. A total of 136 secondary school students participated in a program that guided them through the first steps of the sustainable entrepreneurial process. A total of 68 students were non-randomly assigned to sustainable entrepreneurial role models, providing support and feedback. During the program, groups of 3–5 students generated opportunity ideas (n = 35) for sustainable development. The quality of the opportunity ideas is explored by a qualitative content analysis. The obtained data is further analyzed for statistical group differences. The findings indicate the potential positive effects of sustainable entrepreneurial role models on idea generation for sustainable development. The results can advise educators and researchers on the design and investigation of SEE for secondary education.

19 May 2023 in British Journal of Educational Technology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
AMAnna‐Lisa Max
Anna‐Lisa Max
SLSarah Lukas
Sarah Lukas
HWHolger Weitzel
Holger Weitzel
The aim of this study was (1) to describe challenges prospective teachers perceive during project work in a pedagogical makerspace and coping strategies they develop to deal with the challenges, (2) to analyse the development of prospective teachers' TPACK and attitudes towards the use of ICT in class. Challenges regarding project work and coping strategies were recorded via semi‐structured interviews and evaluated by qualitative content analysis. TPACK and prospective teachers' attitudes towards the usefulness of digital technologies, technology acceptance, intrinsic motivation, self‐efficacy, intentions to use digital media and constructivist understanding of teaching were assessed via questionnaire. The sample consists of German prospective teachers ( N = 145). The results show an increase in TPACK, technology acceptance, intention to use digital media and motivation over the course of the project. TPACK before the intervention was the only variable that predicted TPACK after the intervention. The prospective teachers report numerous challenges during their projects, which can be attributed to the framework, teamwork, and taskwork levels, as well as the individual TPACK. Coping strategies were mainly found on the taskwork level, for example by adjusting goals, creating subtasks and organising regular feedback meetings for self‐monitoring. Practitioner notes: What is already known about this topic: The opportunities for using ICT in schools are developing rapidly, and with them, the demands on teachers' skills (TPACK). The promotion of TPACK competencies in a holistic, multi‐layered, and practice‐oriented manner has to be learned over a longer period of time combining theoretical explanations with practical activities. Making appears to be a suitable activity to foster TPACK, and a makerspace was described as an ideal learning environment to follow constructivist learning, but it has not yet been empirically tested. What this paper adds: The presentation of an innovative approach for prospective teachers to teach TPACK problem‐ and project‐based in a pedagogical makerspace. Empirical data of a large sample size in a field that has not yet been sufficiently empirically researched. A model‐based analysis of the challenges of project work in a university pedagogical makerspace regarding preservice teachers and their coping strategies. Examination of the suitability of project‐based work in the pedagogical makerspace for teaching TPACK and relevant attitudes. Further insights about learning processes and influencing factors in a university pedagogical makerspace with respect to promoting TPACK. Implications for practice: A pedagogical makerspace is a suitable learning environment to foster TPACK and attitudes towards the use of ICT in school. TPACK development depends on TPACK before working in a makerspace. Challenges and coping strategies while working in a pedagogical makerspace can be assigned to four levels. The assignment of challenges and coping strategies to those levels supports lecturers in developing the necessary support structures. Support structures should include at least basic knowledge about the organisation of projects. Agile project elements prove helpful for product development in the makerspace.