m-IC: a Mobile Device based Multimedia Learning Methodology for Industrial Computing

Abstract

[EN] To ensure the success of mobile learning, the use of an appropriate methodology to design and implement mobile device based on educational tools is a key issue. Industrial Computing (IC) subject is a third year compulsory subject of Industrial Electronic and Automation Engineering degree, which instructs students in the design and validation of Industrial Computing Systems (ICS) to control medium size industrial processes. IC is organized through a Problem Based Learning (PBL) methodology to carry out the implementation of ICS. In a traditional IC class, students had overheads to follow teacher's demonstrations. Students did not complete project implementation because they were unable to follow part of the explanations, and hence they get unmotivated. To solve this problem, an IC mobile device based multimedia teaching methodology, namely m-IC is developed. m-IC allows integration of lecture videos, problems, laboratories and development demonstrations of ICS projects. In this way, m-IC allows students autonomously plan their formation process and receive teacher guidance using a mobile phone. Moreover, smartphones availability makes these devices good candidates to learn IC. To show how students interact with m-IC, a smartphone application is detailed. The successful evaluation of m-IC by around 800 students during four years is presented.