Technology is fast changing today’s world. This is both at personal and career levels. It is arguable that technology and innovation have made both home and work life. Indeed, some of the things that families had to do without today’s tech at home were cumbersome and time-consuming. For instance, washing dishes was made that much easier through a washing machine. Further laundry was also made easier through the development of the washing machine and so forth.
The same happened to industries with the creation and development of industrial equipment, chemicals, and even innovative methodologies to further these industrial spaces. Interestingly, the workplace also changed rapidly due to both technology and innovation. Critically, there have been numerous attempts to change and revolutionize the learning environment. Currently, it can be argued that the learning process is the slowest to adopt creative technology. One can comfortably argue that this has greatly affected the impact of some learning methodologies and strategies.
One of the reasons why this bold assumption has been made is the fact that many teachers and students still do not appreciate the importance of using artificial intelligence and even other subtle forms of technology and innovation in the teaching environment. It is important that both teachers and students alike start appreciating how 3D technology can revolutionize learning due to the fact that it, to some extent, offers a hands-on approach to learning.
3D technology can change, make it easier and more effective, teaching complicated units, courses, and concepts in any type of classroom, including engineering ones. Further, the use of a virtual environment in the learning environment also pushes students to think outside the box and find practical solutions to practical problems that they will most likely face in the field or market.
Introduction
Technology has changed how people interact with each other and with businesses as well (Pomffyova 2018). Pomffyova (2018) notes that innovation and tech have also shaped how the workplace operates. For example, in the past, people used to write by hand. Through innovation, typewriters were introduced in the workplace, and this did work that much easier. A couple of decades later, the first computers were introduced, and these made typewriters appear cumbersome and bulky.
These computers continue to evolve to this day and age, with the new versions making work more efficient. The digital era has increased competition across the globe in regard to business and innovation (Zimmermann, Schmidt & Jain, 2020). However, there are still some companies and even some industries that are yet to come to terms with the importance of the digital economy. Due to this, they have refused to take advantage of what digital solutions offer. It can be argued that they have and will continue to suffer if they do not incorporate vital digital solutions.
This proposal looks at the Department of Maintenance and Electrical Training (TSED), a branch of C., Company. Some of the things that the company works on include air heaters, special purpose equipment, and also chemical equipment machinery. It is essential to note that despite the department’s keenness in advancing the field through proper education, it has overlooked the importance of some critical technology.
This essay looks into why the department should implement an interactive 3D (CAD) virtual environment and interactive schematics of the engines, fuel, hydraulic, and electrical systems, which can be a comprehensive solution to the students (DiSTI corporation, 2020). It is critical to point out that incorporating a virtual environment into the learning process makes it that more interesting, which will also increase the retention percentage of the students.
Mission and Vision of the Company
The XX Department of Maintenance and Electrical Training in Company A furthers a tradition of excellence, brilliance, and opportunity through the provision of advanced training and instruction for all its students insisting more on the practical elements of both chemical and electrical systems in order to meet the needs of all our clients as the core of our mission. The proposal aligns with the mission statement as it offers ways in which the company can ensure its tradition of excellence is continuously achieved.
Vision
To organize and provide an effective, efficient and supportive learning environment for all students interested in furthering the field of chemical and electrical engineering through the proper provision of reliable, tested, and progressive training and education. The proposal aligns with the vision as it suggests the recreation of the learning environment to allow more students to learn better.
Analysis of Company
Currently, the company has limited digital integration. In order to analyze the current digital interaction within the company, it is critical first to understand what these terms mean and why it is important in this discussion. This is due to the fact that the current digital integration also pronounces the company’s policy on the same. Zimmermann, Schmidt, and Jain (2020) defined digital integration in business as an approach that supports the fact that information and data on any device can be linked for better efficiency and effectiveness to all other devices that share and can be used in the fulfillment of an objective.
Therefore, companies that use the intranet, which is tied to their email addresses, which are further tied to their mobile phone sim cards, are all using some form of digital integration. Moving from manual concepts and works to digital ones can also be perceived to be a type of digital integration. Therefore, one can argue that there are extents to digital integration, with some being very basic while others being highly complex and even incorporating virtual reality and other complex artificial intelligence.
Debatably, there are numerous advantages that have been associated with digital integration including an increase in performance. First, the process ensures that devices are compatible with one another. This makes it effective for teams to train on new devices that are introduced into the firms or even schools. All the processes that the connection can also be monitored from one step to the other. This is important due to the fact that it enhances accountability and increases transparency, which is important in any type of business. It is essential to note that if a company has relied on manual paperwork, then physical, digital integration has to happen first.
This will ensure that all paperwork is lifted into online platforms, and then more devices are connected to that one system for accessibility. It is critical to note that digital integration is not a one-day job. It can take several months and even years, especially if the company did not have any form of digital integration before.
Current Company Digital Integration
Company C has some low level of digital integration that should be revised to keep up with industry standards. The company has an email that is linked to its employees’ phones, so communication has been made easier through this simple synchronization. It can be argued that this also allows for some aspect of virtual team management. On the other hand, the XX department still has a long way to go in regards to digital integration. Indeed, there are numerous virtual team management tools that the department can incorporate to make it more effective and also attract more students, such as Wrike and Trello.
This will be a big plus for the department as it will not only ensure that all the materials, equipment, and even teachers that teach the different theologies can be better managed and found by the students. Critically, for a training institution to be effective, it has to churn out learners who are ready to tackle the world’s or rather, market’s problems. This can only be achieved through proper digital integration. That is what the market needs right now if the department has to take up the recommendation on better integration to release high standard students into the market, which is key in their mission statement of their department vision.
The department can also be analyzed using their behavior assessment tools. Currently, the department has not incorporated any behavior assessment tools digitally. This aspect of human resources and management is done manually. Aagaard (2018) explains that one of the benefits of using digital integration for this specific element is that it removes or rather reduces all other forms of human bias. It has been common practice for employees to feel they were attacked by their managers and supervisors during their assessments. However, when done digitally, with scores directly tied to other aspects that have also been digitalized, bias is greatly reduced.
The same can be said about the department’s performance assessment tool. Currently, it needs much improvement, and whichever solution will be recommended should also include a performance assessment tool due to its importance in managing performance. Further, it is prudent to state that currently, the motivation and reward system is not equal. Where one group in the department gets rewards in the form of off days and even gets incentives to motivate them, the other does not. Coccia (2019) warns that such preferential treatment might harm a company more than poor sales. This should be resolved by offering the motivation and rewards system to all the employees in the department. It should be mentioned that this should also be done through proper digital integration.
Recommendations
It is recommended that the company adopts an interactive 3D (CAD) virtual environment and interactive schematics of the engines, fuel, hydraulic, and electrical systems, which can be a comprehensive solution to the students (DiSTI corporation, 2020). The recommended virtual environment is essential due to the fact that it relates to some of the critical factors or gaps that have already been identified.
Virtual Team Management
The suggested 3D (CAD) virtual environment can enhance virtual team management based on current industry standards. This is embedded in how innovation works. As stated, the domain will be boosted by interactive schematics of the engines, fuel, hydraulic and electrical systems. This simply means that all these elements will be linked together virtually. This means that management or the supervisors will be able to supervise the work of their employees virtually as well. There are numerous advantages to having virtual team management. First, it ensures accountability and transparency, especially if all other systems are also virtual.
This is where the aspect of the virtual environment comes in. It is prudent to point out that the primary reason, however, for making the given recommendation is to ensure that it will also enhance the student’s learning. Critically, the students have to study different pieces of the machines, theory, and other practical lessons. The tutors can teach all these through the creation of a virtual environment. Further, all progress made can be monitored virtually. Critically, students will also have the opportunity to create their own teams and monitor each other virtually. This creates an entirely different perception of how important the virtual environment is.
Behavior Assessment Tool
It should be noted that behavior assessment tools are important to check whether the students will actually be learning (Coccia, 2019). Therefore, it feeds directly into whether the courses and lessons taught by the department are of quality. This further also feeds into the argument on the quality of students the department releases into the market. The recommendation given allows for virtual team management and even supervision.
This ensures that students can always get the help they need from the tutors. Further, it can be argued that due to the fact that the virtual environment will encourage the students to use real materials and make both chemical and electrical systems and processes, they will shape the behavior of the students in relation to interaction with the materials and how they, in turn, connect with one another. Further, the digitized behavioral assessment tool will ensure that continuity and even leadership paths are chartered out clearly. This will help resolve the department’s issue where more middle managers are leaving for the competition.
Performance Assessment Tools
It can be argued that performance assessment tools are critical in also ensuring that the quality of education and the work that is expected to be done is actually happening. In the event that this does not occur, the same performance management tools can clearly indicate where the problem is, making problem-solving that much easier. The virtual environment will clearly show what the student has learned as through the CD (CAD), they will be able to project and even use the equipment or materials they have been introduced to in the virtual environment. Further, they get to fully and practically implement the theories and methodologies they have learned in the same environment. This can all be accessed to measure performance and better help the students enhance their learning.
An example can be given to explain this premise further. Due to the complications of handling fuel, the students will be able to use the virtual environment to learn the different and most effective ways of doing this task. This ensures that the actual performance of the activity will be easier for them as they already had enough practice in the virtual environment.
Motivation and Rewards
There is a crucial need for motivation and rewards to cut across all the groups in the department, not just one. This is due to the fact that all students and staff have to be motivated in order to achieve the organizational goals. Bølling (2018) argues that motivation and rewards are critical for students as they are for employers and employees. In a typical classroom, a motivation to studying is a good grade on an exam. On the same note, the reward for the same is graduation to the next level of one’s education. The virtual environment offers many different motivations and rewards for the students, such as virtual trophies for completing tasks.
Apart from passing, the technology also ensures that the students do whatever they have learned in theory form practically. Kaldi and Xafakos (2017) argue that this creates a sense of excitement and initiates self-motivation to do better, and also offers non-tangible rewards. After all, the students will actually be able to see the work of their hands. It is important that the virtual environment be monitored to ensure that learning is taking place as desired. It is also critical to point out that motivation and rewards also affect the teachers or managers in the department. When they are motivated and rewarded, they will be more than happy to do a better job.
Organizational Culture Development
It can be argued that organizational culture is critical in the workplace due to its impact on both productivity and profitability. Further, training centers rarely teach the importance of corporate culture to their students (Schwertner, 2017). This creates a unique opportunity for XX department to complete some form of value addition for their department (Srinivasan, 2019). It further relates directly to the vision and mission statements. It is prudent to state that the development of organizational culture is important due to the fact that culture, like other things, change. Several components can help ensure that any viable changes that affect culture are incorporated well.
For example, an organizational culture that is inclusive will always have room for additional issues, voices, and people, regardless of who they are and where they come from. Schwertner (2017) explains that organizational cultures should strive to have core values that shape the environment. Critically, the suggested interactive 3D (CAD) virtual environment and interactive schematics of the engines, fuel, hydraulic, and electrical systems will allow for more awareness training that affects organizational culture.
Conclusion
In conclusion, one reason why digital integration is critical in this day and age is its impact on quality. Not only are more companies opening up to this concept, but they also see the benefits of the same. Critically, companies and institutions that do not adopt digital integration will be left behind. The C company has taken up some forms of digital integration. For example, they have emails that are synchronized with their employees’ phones.
However, their departments can further integrate digital solutions into their processes. This is especially true of the XX department, which teaches students on chemical and electrical engineering matters. It is important to note that the chemical and electrical engineering fields have grown immensely due to innovation and technology. Therefore, it is ironic that the teaching of these subjects is still highly traditional. However, there are newer technologies that can make learning in this fields exciting and more effective.
It is recommended that XX department consider adopting the 3D (CAD) virtual environment and interactive schematics of the engines, fuel, hydraulic, and electrical systems. These two will fall largely into digital integration. One of the benefits of the virtual environment is that it ensures that students get to practice real-life stimulations. This makes them market-ready and helps the company achieve its vision and mission statements.
Further, an interactive schematic will ensure that the whole environment can be monitored and better, or rather more efficiently, managed. It is also important to note that the suggestion made will also help in virtual team management. Further, it will improve performance and behavior assessment as all the things that the students learn can be clearly monitored virtually. The teachers can additionally provide assistance where needed.
References
Aagaard, A. (2018). Digital business models: Driving transformation and innovation. Springer.
Bølling, M. (2018). The association between education outside the classroom and students’ school motivation: Results from a one-school-year quasi-experiment. International Journal of Educational Research, 89, 22-35.
Coccia, M., (2019). Intrinsic and extrinsic incentives to support motivation and performance of public organizations. Journal of Economics Bibliography, 6(1), 20-29.
DiSTI. (2020). Powering the digitalization of HMI and virtual maintenance training. Web.
Pomffyova, M. (2018). Management of information systems. Books on Demand.
Schwertner, K. (2017). Digital transformation of business. Trakia Journal of Sciences, 15(1), 388-393.
Srinivasan, B. N. (2019). Enhancing Value Creation through Digital Transformation: Architecting Project Management for Embracing Disruptions – Digital Transformation. PM World Journal, 8(9), 1–14.
Zimmermann, A., Schmidt, R., & Jain, C. L. (2020). Architecting the digital transformation: Digital business, technology, decision support, management. Springer Nature.