A Hybrid Space to Support the Regeneration of Competences for Re-industrialization. Lessons from an Action-Research

In this paper, we present the action-research programme “Officina Emilia”, which was initiated in Italy with the goal of regenerating competence networks in a manufacturing area. Officina Emilia developed some distinctive features: the creation of an original space, Museolaboratorio, designed as a hybrid space; the action-research program to introduce changes through the context-based technology education; the intent to build on a large and qualified network, supporting the innovation in the education system at regional level. The rationale for this analysis is to single out which are the agents, the processes and some conditions that may hamper similar initiatives. We first introduce interdependencies between economic system and education system. We discuss a new approach to technology education in context, and the specific characters of what is needed to improve such context-based education. We present the education activities produced by Officina Emilia and we comment the lessons learned from the action-research that created a hybrid space. Our focus is on the relevant agents, artefacts and interaction processes that can support social innovation in education to enhance significant learning, to meet the changes of the world of production and to address the complexity of concrete situations. The conclusion focus on the lost and missing links hampering the action-research to become action.