The remote experimentation as the practical-oriented basis of inclusive engineering education

The challenges and solutions for inclusive engineering education are discussed in this paper. We propose remote experimentation as the practical-oriented basis to train engineers with disabilities in the fields of Computer Science and Information Technologies. The structure and the functionality of international GOLDi network that unites partner universities from Germany, Australia, Ukraine, Armenia and Georgia is given. The possibilities of REIoT complex for studying the features of embedded systems design and Internet of Things technologies as well as an overview of ISRT laboratory for embedded software development and testing are given. The presented Remote Laboratories are successfully used to improve educational services quality and accessibility as well as to strengthen the practical component of the learning process

Enabling peer-to-peer remote experimentation in distributed online remote laboratories

Remote Access Laboratories (RALs) are online platforms that allow human user interaction with physical instruments over the Internet. Usually RALs follow a client-server paradigm. Dedicated providers create and maintain experiments and corresponding educational content. In contrast, this dissertation focuses on a Peer-to-Peer (P2P) service model for RALs where users are encouraged to host experiments at their location. This approach can be seen as an example of an Internet of Things (IoT) system. A set of smart devices work together providing a cyber-physical interface for users to run experiments remotely via the Internet. The majority of traditional RAL learning activities focus on undergraduate education where hands-on experience such as building experiments, is not a major focus. In contrast this work is motivated by the need to improve Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education for school-aged children. Here physically constructing experiments forms a substantial part of the learning experience. In the proposed approach, experiments can be designed with relatively simple components such as LEGO Mindstorms or Arduinos. The user interface can be programed using SNAP!, a graphical programming tool. While the motivation for the work is educational in nature, this thesis focuses on the technical details of experiment control in an opportunistic distributed environment. P2P RAL aims to enable any two random participants in the system - one in the role of maker creating and hosting an experiment and one in the role of learner using the experiment - to establish a communication session during which the learner runs the remote experiment through the Internet without requiring a centralized experiment or service provider. The makers need to have support to create the experiment according to a common web based programing interface. Thus, the P2P approach of RALs requires an architecture that provides a set of heterogeneous tools which can be used by makers to create a wide variety of experiments. The core contribution of this dissertation is an automaton-based model (twin finite state automata) of the controller units and the controller interface of an experiment. This enables the creation of experiments based on a common platform, both in terms of software and hardware. This architecture enables further development of algorithms for evaluating and supporting the performance of users which is demonstrated through a number of algorithms. It can also ensure the safety of instruments with intelligent tools. The proposed network architecture for P2P RALs is designed to minimise latency to improve user satisfaction and learning experience. As experiment availability is limited for this approach of RALs, novel scheduling strategies are proposed. Each of these contributions has been validated through either simulations, e.g. in case of network architecture and scheduling, or test-bed implementations, in case of the intelligent tools. Three example experiments are discussed along with users' feedback on their experience of creating an experiment and using others’ experimental setup. The focus of the thesis is mainly on the design and hosting of experiments and ensuring user accessibility to them. The main contributions of this thesis are in regards to machine learning and data mining techniques applied to IoT systems in order to realize the P2P RALs system. This research has shown that a P2P architecture of RALs can provide a wide variety of experimental setups in a modular environment with high scalability. It can potentially enhance the user-learning experience while aiding the makers of experiments. It presents new aspects of learning analytics mechanisms to monitor and support users while running experiments, thus lending itself to further research. The proposed mathematical models are also applicable to other Internet of Things applications

Design of hybrid laboratories for the teaching of manufacturing engineering

Los laboratorios en Ingeniería tradicionales están ahora siendo impactados por las nuevas tecnologías, y junto con la necesidad de universidades más eficientes y efectivas, han estimulado la creación de espacios de experimentación innovadores con características particulares, que integran estrategias pedagógicas dinámicas y TICs aplicadas. La mayoría de esas actividades se realizan en laboratorios especializados con el fin de crear una experiencia de capacitación técnica cuya intención es integrar modalidades y entornos de manera híbrida (presencial, remota y virtual). Esta investigación describe la experiencia obtenida en el diseño y el uso de laboratorios de ingeniería híbridos al evaluar su grado de efectividad en un entorno académico. El proyecto consistió en la definición e implementación de diferentes tipos de procedimientos de laboratorio híbrido a través de la integración de los componentes funcionales de una práctica pedagógica en el campo de la manufactura. El análisis realizado mostró que los grados de efectividad varían en los diferentes tipos de práctica de laboratorio (convencional e híbrido) tanto en su uso como en la apreciación tecnológica de los estudiantes. Además, revelaron factores importantes de una práctica de laboratorio, tales como: conocimiento del equipo, claridad de las instrucciones, autosuficiencia y la cantidad de tiempo necesario para realizar los procedimientos de la práctica.Traditional engineering laboratories are now being impacted by new technologies, and together with the need for more efficient and effective universities, they have stimulated the creation of innovative experimentation spaces with particular characteristics, which integrate dynamic pedagogical strategies and applied ICTs. Most of these activities are carried out in specialized laboratories in order to create a technical training experience whose intention is to integrate modalities and environments in a hybrid way (face-to-face, remote and virtual). This research describes the experience gained in the design and use of hybrid engineering laboratories when evaluating their degree of effectiveness in an academic environment. The project consisted in the definition and implementation of different types of hybrid laboratory procedures through the integration of the functional components of a pedagogical practice in the field of manufacturing. The analysis carried out showed that the degrees of effectiveness vary in the different types of laboratory practice (conventional and hybrid), both in their use and in the technological appreciation of the students. In addition, they revealed important factors of a laboratory practice, such as: knowledge of the equipment, clarity of the instructions, self-sufficiency and the amount of time necessary to carry out the practice procedures.Doctor en Ingeniería de ProcesosUniversidad Castilla La-ManchaDoctorad

Laboratórios remotos: interação remota com braços robóticos e integração com plataformas de e-learning

A realização de atividades práticas em contexto laboratorial desempenha um papel essencial no ensino das engenharias e de outras áreas científicas. Neste sentido, os laboratórios remotos e virtuais estão a ganhar importância e destaque nas escolas e universidades, pois permitem a redução de custos em equipamentos e manutenção, possibilitam a realização de experiências práticas no ensino à distância e permitem a partilha de recursos entre instituições de ensino. Todavia, a avaliação e acompanhamento de atividades em contextos não tradicionais é um processo complexo e demorado, que traz novos desafios para os professores. Facto que pode limitar a adoção generalizada deste tipo de ferramentas. A presente dissertação descreve o processo de análise, conceção, desenvolvimento e avaliação de um protótipo de um laboratório remoto para o ensino de redes de computadores, integrado com a plataforma Inven!RA. Esta, permite a recolha de analytics relevantes durante a realização de planos de atividades, possibilitando assim, que os professores consultem dashboards de acompanhamento que os auxiliem no processo de avaliação da sua intervenção pedagógica, de acordo com o progresso dos alunos, num ambiente integrado com uma plataforma de e-learning. Os resultados obtidos revelam que o protótipo do laboratório criado, permite o desenvolvimento de diversas atividades de redes de computadores, oferece um contributo efetivo ao acompanhamento dos alunos por parte dos professores, acolhe novas dinâmicas de trabalho dentro e fora da sala de aula e promove metodologias ativas de aprendizagem.The realization of practical activities in a laboratory context plays an essential role in the education of engineering and other scientific areas. The use of remote and virtual laboratories has become increasingly popular solutions in schools and universities. Its use allows for a reduction in equipment and maintenance costs, makes it possible to carry out practical experiences in distance learning contexts and allows the sharing of resources between educational institutions. However, the evaluation and monitoring of activities in non-traditional contexts is a complex and time-consuming process, which brings new challenges for instructors. This fact may limit the widespread adoption of this type of tools. This dissertation describes the process of analysis, design, development and evaluation of a prototype for a remote laboratory for computer network education, integrated with the Inven!RA platform. This enables the collection of relevant analytics during the execution of activity plans, which allows teachers to consult monitoring dashboards that helps them in the process of evaluating their pedagogical intervention, according to the student’s progress, in an integrated environment with an e-learning platform. The obtained results reveal that the created prototype of the laboratory, allows the development of several activities for computer networks, offers an effective contribution to the monitoring of students by instructors, welcomes new dynamics of work inside and outside the classroom and promotes active learning methodologies

Resilience-Building Technologies: State of Knowledge -- ReSIST NoE Deliverable D12

This document is the first product of work package WP2, "Resilience-building and -scaling technologies", in the programme of jointly executed research (JER) of the ReSIST Network of Excellenc