Traditional engineering instruction is deductive, beginning with theories and progressing to the applications of those theories Alternative teaching approaches are more inductive Topics are introduced by presenting specific observations, case studies or problems, and theories are taught or the students are helped to discover them only after the need to know them has been established This study reviews several of the most commonly used inductive teaching methods, including inquiry learning, problem-based learning, project-based learning, case-based teaching, discovery learning, and just-in-time teaching The paper defines each method, highlights commonalities and specific differences, and reviews research on the effectiveness of the methods While the strength of the evidence varies from one method to another, inductive methods are consistently found to be at least equal to, and in general more effective than, traditional deductive methods for achieving a broad range of learning outcomes

Inductive Teaching and Learning Methods: Definitions, Comparisons, and Research Bases

During the last 40 years, problem- and project-based learning (PBL) has been widely adopted in engineering education because of its expected effectiveness in developing students’ professional knowl...

Forms of implementation and challenges of PBL in engineering education: a review of literature

Advanced Distribution Automation (ADA) has become a topic of considerable interest in the electric power industry; moreover, for the development of ADA it is necessary to build new methodologies and computational tools to support the distribution networks (DN) simulation with Real Time Hardware in the Loop (RT-HIL) techniques, reducing the design and testing times at low cost. OpenDSS is a free powerful software platform to simulate DN including the models for distributed generation; the RT-HIL systems improve the OpenDSS capabilities, interfacing the data delivered for this platform using analog and digital signals in Real Time (RT). This way, the design engineer and external hardware can interact with the DN like in the real scenario switching and analyzing the response of the system. As result, in this paper the Real time analytical simulation of the IEEE 13 Nodes system is presented; this with the aim of evaluating the performance of the developed tool. All the developments were made using National Instruments Real Time hardware architectures, OpenDSS software and the LabVIEW® RT software. Finally, the different possibilities with the developed tool and the future developments are presented.

Real time OpenDSS framework for distribution systems simulation and analysis

Wind energy conversion systems (WECS) nowadays offer an extremely wide range of topologies, including various different types of electrical generators and power converters. Wind energy is also an application of great interest to students and with a huge potential for engineering employment. Making WECS the main center of interest when teaching power electronics and electrical machines can therefore be highly advantageous. This paper describes a novel teaching experience using wind energy as the starting point for understanding power electronics and electrical machines. The results point out the wide variety of concepts involved in the course, the numerous competences that it can enhance, and its positive reception by learners.

Understanding Power Electronics and Electrical Machines in Multidisciplinary Wind Energy Conversion System Courses

Within the field of electric power systems, the study of electrical equipment can be frustrating and demotivating because of the lack of a clear vision of how this equipment functions and operates in a real environment. The use of virtual reality can provide a more concrete representation for students, who rarely have the opportunity to visit a power substation or generating plant to acquire an understanding of how the equipment operates when integrated into an actual system. This paper describes work undertaken to improve the classroom study of such equipment , and to motivate students, by providing a clear overview of the equipment, approximating theory and practical functions, and simulating real situations that would be encountered on the equipment in an actual system. A virtual reality authoring tool was developed to provide students with a visualization of an autotransformer installed in an electric power substation, and to allow them to perform virtual maintenance and operating procedures on it. The influence of the software on students' levels of motivation and their performance was evaluated using questionnaires and reports. Finally, a framework is proposed that can help others create virtual reality trainings.

Consolidating Learning in Power Systems: Virtual Reality Applied to the Study of the Operation of Electric Power Transformers

The use of wind energy is now an established fact, and many educational institutions are introducing this topic into their engineering studies. Problem-based learning (PBL), as a student-centered instructional approach, has contributed to important developments in engineering education over the last few years. This paper presents the experience of a problem-based learning approach within the context of teaching wind energy conversion systems for electricity generation at an Electrical and Electronic Master's degree level. Students were given the problem of finding the response of a wind turbine to a grid fault. Groups of three students worked on a cooperative learning project for 15 weeks, with the instructor providing resource assistance and information at all stages of the work. Two tools were designed to help the students: a virtual wind turbine simulator and a real wind turbine setup. Both experimental tools are described, and the results obtained by the students are discussed. The results show that the students valued both tools and were able to address problems at a high cognitive level.

Joaquin Eloy-Garcia Carrasco

Papers

Problem-Based Learning in Wind Energy Using Virtual and Real Setups