On February 17, 2020, the municipal project “Bildungswegenavigator – der BIWENAV” was chosen as the winning project in the final of the 2019/20 innovation semester.
The innovation semester was just the beginning for the new edition of the popular tool.
Since then, the BIWENAV team, which is based in the municipal coordination department of the school administration office and the PRO AUSBILDUNG foundation, has continued to work diligently on the project.
On Monday, September 7, 2020, the time had come and the tool celebrated its successful relaunch. 
Photo: Melanie Zanin
In 2016, Kommunale Koordination Düsseldorf programmed this tool on its website and made it accessible to teachers, parents, pupils and interested parties.
Of course, in a constantly changing digital world, an online tool like this quickly becomes outdated.
After just three years, I had the feeling that the language, design and functionality of the tool were no longer modern enough or sufficiently appealing for our important target group, namely pupils in transition to training/studies/careers.
[perfectpullquote align=”left” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]I was hoping for a lively exchange and learning from each other by coming together with students – and that’s exactly what happened 100%.[/perfectpullquote]
By coming together with students, I hoped for a lively exchange and learning from each other – and that’s exactly what happened 100%.
My course included students from the design department, German studies students, management students, computer science students and even a physics student!
This composition released completely new energies and synergies.
In this constellation, it was possible to once again ask ourselves very fundamental questions together with students on the topic of career orientation in Düsseldorf using the online tool Bildungswegenavigator.
When you look at the results, I really have to say that my team not only fulfilled my hopes for this semester, but really exceeded them.
Everyone did a great job and moved the BIWENAV project forward together. ” 
This is the innovation semester: interdisciplinary work on problems and questions with a motivated group.
By the way: You will again have the opportunity to submit project proposals for 2020/21.
What has happened since the BIWENAV results final?
Renate Kiszkiel reported in July: “A lot has happened since the results final.
Together with a programmer, we have further developed the BIWENAV and equipped it with new features.
The content and language have been reviewed and adapted to the different requirements of the different types of school.
At the moment we are in the final phase and therefore also in the “hot” phase.
We want to complete the project as soon as possible and start “marketing” our BIWENAV.
I really believe that this tool has outgrown itself thanks to the innovation semester and the ideas and visions and now offers a cool opportunity to get an overview of educational pathways in Düsseldorf.” BIWENAV has been online with a new design since September 7, 2020 and provides information about the variety of vocational and academic education and training options in the North Rhine-Westphalian state capital.
The online tool can be used on PCs, tablets and smartphones and, with its new clarity and system, is intended to be an important guide for young people of all school types, but also for those in doubt about their studies or young people who want to make a fresh start. 
Photo: Jörg Janssen (RP)
[perfectpullquote align=”right” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]It is important to coordinate with each other and always stay on the ball.[/perfectpullquote] Renate Kiszkiel emphasizes how important it is to remain in close coordination with all those groups that have linked their offers at the end of the search process: “After three “dead links” in BIWENAV, the person searching stops looking any further. We can and must prevent this through good technology, clever organization and good networking with our providers. But it means always staying on the ball.” You can get an impression of the new BIWENAV in moving images here.
The BIWENAV will be advertised immediately via schools, advice centers, employment agencies, chambers, universities and parents.
So keep your eyes open!
You are sure to see the BIWENAV in the city soon.
The innovation semester as a springboard into working life for young people
A communication design student who took part in the BIWENAV project during the innovation semester talks about her motivation for applying for the course: “I just wanted to finally work on something real and practical.
Through our university newsletter, I heard about the I found out about BIWENAV during my innovation semester and thought that it sounded like something that could be quite fun and also offer real added value.
That was important to me.” Even after completing the 2019/20 innovation semester, the student is still involved in the processes and feels that she has benefited enormously from a professional perspective: “It was a super exciting semester, simply because you get to know completely different people and get out of your own department and campus a bit.”
The innovation semester
Interested in offering a project yourself? You can find all the information here. Interested in taking part in a project? Registrations will be possible from October 2020! Want to reminisce or get an impression of the final results of the last innovation semester?
Just take a look at the video: Many thanks to the Multimedia Center of Heinrich Heine University for the great video.
