Pixel International ConferencesPixel International ConferencesOne of the most important challenges in the textile and clothing industries will be Smart Textiles – products with extended functionalities [1]. These will contribute to the next revolution in textile and clothing technology and have a high market potential [2]. However, there are only a few approaches in teaching this interdisciplinary field especially in the area of product development. Therefore, this project aims for the development, piloting and evaluation of an innovative didactic tool in the field of Smart Textiles for engineering degree programs especially in the field of textiles and clothing. Although the development of smart textiles has been going on for decades, everyday use is still in its infancy and there are numerous definitions with different emphasis. In the following, Smart Textiles are defined as textile products that interact with their environment and can thus actively support users. The work focuses on so-called E-textiles, which are textiles with integrated electronic components. Whilst teaching smart textiles in the past the Wearic Smart Textiles Kit [3] was used to bring students in contact with this innovative new field of combining textiles and electronics. The Wearic Kit is intended to help people to discover the potential of Smart Textiles. Therefore, the set includes textile-based sensors for pressure and wetness, heating, push-buttons, sewable LEDs, and as core piece an expansion board with an Arduino nano-controller. The board and actors are easily connected by conductive snap fasteners. Unfortunately, this kit has a number of disadvantages. Students rated working with this kit as a good entry point to the topic of smart textiles, but as soon as they wanted to realize their own products based on their new experiences they found the limits of the system. That´s why the new concept integrates a newly developed smart textiles kit. This application-oriented construction kit should help to extend the frontiers of knowledge, stimulate creativity, and give students the ability to solve real-world problems. As added benefit it will accelerate the understanding of innovation and interdisciplinary challenges. The whole approach is tested in a on scene learning concept as well as in a blended learning concept. It aims to prepare students to think interdisciplinary, broadly, deeply, and last but not least critically. Students will be ready to contribute to the development of new products and face the challenges of structural change along their working life. The paper will give an overview on the didactical approach, the learning tool kit and first experiences.
Keywords: Smart Textiles, Engineering, Learning tool kit, Didactical approach, E-Textiles.
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