Abstract:

In subjects with a dominant practical content like Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) clearly benefits students. These new resources, however, need to be applied in a logical manner, and hence, the strategy (methodology) designed by the lecturer turns to be the critical point for success. Two principle elements are considered here to demonstrate that: the incorporation of internet access on laboratory sessions on one hand; and the extension of student-teacher communication channel by Moodle platform on the other.
Key aspects of the strategy include: a correct combination of theoretical lessons for new concepts; case-presenting and focusing seminars; hands-on laboratory sessions; writing reports explaining given solutions; occasional tutorial sessions to discuss the reports and a carefully chosen selection of industrial software in which students are trained.
Internet access in lab sessions allows students develop self-learning strategies, searching for new information, and complete contents pointed out in lectures. Additionally, it helps emulate real working conditions and consequently students get more used to consult manuals and professional forums. Both aspects provide students the opportunity to build their own trustable source criteria.
Moreover, the virtual platform Moodle enables the communication among group members above all in two aspects: one, calendar sharing; and two information exchange. Specifically, platforms allow well-tracked assessment of reports and give a good basis for following tutorials.
This paper shows the advantages of bringing in the worldwide known platform Moodle and internet access in the teaching/learning methodology designed for last year university students in an electrical engineering college. It also reports results obtained during the previous 5 years: in fact, students get more focused on improving their competencies rather than in a content-focused subject. The conclusions obtained permit new ideas to be devised for further development of the teaching/learning method.
As a result of the experience it can be concluded that the use of ICT in the learning/teaching process allows students develop more competences and gain initiative within the learning process. Besides, it permits a more accurate, yet quick assessment of performance. Ultimately the student faces real work-environment situations with the tuition of the teacher and classmates.

Keywords:

Self-learning, Competences, Attitudes, Case- or project-based learning, New technologies, Use of industrial software.