The effectiveness of the movement to invent teaching equipment in Nghe An.
The movement to create self-made vocational training equipment has been around for decades. This not only meets the needs of teaching and learning but also provides a source of new knowledge for teachers and students in the process of creating products with high practical applications.
Meeting practical needs
The "Industrial Electrical Practice" product won first prize at the 2024 Nghe An Province Self-Made Training Equipment Competition. This product was highly praised for its utility and high applicability in refrigeration and air conditioning vocational training. The team of authors, Bui Thanh Dong and Pham Trong Dinh (teachers at the Nghe An Ethnic Minority Boarding Vocational School), conceived, designed, and completed the product in six months.
The Industrial Electrical Practice Equipment has solved many difficulties in practicing modules related to practical lessons. Previously, students would spend a whole month completing 3-4 modules, but now they only need a little over a week. Because of the application of this equipment, students complete lessons faster, and therefore the effectiveness is also higher. Teacher Bui Thanh Dong said: “The Industrial Electrical Practice Equipment integrates many other practical devices. Its creation saves both costs and time in the school's training organization. At the same time, it stimulates students' curiosity, so the effectiveness achieved is much higher.”
In addition to the Industrial Electrical Practice Equipment which won first prize, at this year's competition, Nghe An Boarding School also had a veterinary diagnostic anatomy set that won second prize.
This device helps students identify animal diseases more quickly and clearly, and thus determine appropriate treatment methods. The advantage and convenience of this anatomy kit is its integration with Industry 4.0 technology. Previously, the old anatomy kit imported by the school could only teach a group of four students; now, with the integration of this device, hundreds of students can follow along via camera. This significantly improves the effectiveness of the lesson and student learning. Teacher Hoang Ngoc Thao, who participated in the development of this device, said: "The device was completed in three years, helping to solve all the bottlenecks of the old equipment, such as its bulkiness and numerous steps. Furthermore, a single machine integrates many other devices, making it convenient to move and shortening training time."
The Vietnam-Korea College of Technology has a long history of success in competitions for self-made training equipment. In 2024, the school submitted 14 pieces of equipment and won 4 awards: 1 First Prize, 1 Second Prize, 1 Third Prize, and 8 Consolation Prizes. The school's principal, Mr. Ho Van Dam, stated: "The movement to create training equipment has been underway for over 10 years, not only in response to the movement from the General Department of Vocational Training but also stemming from practical needs."
Homemade teaching aids, in addition to their functions as conventional teaching equipment, also possess profound economic and pedagogical significance. To create such an aid, teachers and students must not only thoroughly study the relevant lesson content but also have a deep understanding of the process, its functions, and the materials used. This is also of significant economic importance, helping to supplement a large amount of equipment annually that the state budget cannot adequately provide.
Principal of Vietnam-Korea College of Technology, Ho Van Dam
"All the school's self-made training equipment costs only 50% of the price of imported equipment, yet it integrates many features and allows for simultaneous practice of multiple modules. More than 70% of the components of the self-made equipment are reused from old devices, but through the creative hands of the teachers and students, the new equipment has become 2-3 times more valuable," shared teacher Ho Van Dam.
Fostering creativity among teachers and students.
Mr. Hoang Sy Tuyen, Head of the Vocational Training Department of the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, said that in recent years, the movement to create self-made training equipment has attracted enthusiastic participation from teachers, students, and trainees at vocational training institutions in the province. This has encouraged creativity in teaching and learning, reduced costs, and aligned with the training requirements of each institution. Through this movement, lecturers, students, and trainees have the opportunity to develop their intellect and creativity in designing self-made training equipment, serving scientific research, invention, and application in the teaching and learning process to improve the quality of education and training. Self-made equipment, ranging in design from simple to those with modern technology and complex programming, has been incorporated into teaching, offering many advantages, particularly in professions such as electrical engineering, electronics, welding technology, automotive technology, animal husbandry, and veterinary medicine.
This year's competition for self-made training equipment showed a significant improvement in both quantity and quality. The majority of entries met the knowledge and skill requirements of the training program, training modules, and output standards, and were effectively applied in teaching, suitable for practical conditions and incorporating modern technologies such as the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, and semiconductor technology.
Ms. Ho Thi Chau Loan – Deputy Director of the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs
Some equipment utilizes readily available materials, combined with the creativity of teachers who have applied scientific and technological advancements to the design and production of training equipment. This leads to high feasibility in replicating the results of self-made equipment, improving the quality and applicability of the equipment; increasing the efficiency of use as well as the economic efficiency of investing in training equipment at vocational education institutions.
The authors and groups of authors have invented outstanding devices, effectively applying scientific and technical advancements in the design and production of training equipment, and demonstrating the equipment's applicability in the training process. Examples include: the industrial electrical practice table from the Nghe An Ethnic Boarding Vocational School; the multi-split refrigerator model from the Vietnam-Korea College of Technology; the smart welding cabin from the Vietnam-Germany College; and the multi-functional ironing equipment from the Nghe An Vocational School of Economics, Industry, and Handicrafts. Through this competition, Nghe An province has selected 16 devices to participate in the 8th National Self-Made Training Equipment Competition in 2025 in Hai Phong City.
