Abstract:

The present work collects the experience in the training of a group of mechatronics students, through the MR2003B, a training unit that belongs to the TEC21 educational model of the Tecnologico de Monterrey. This new form of teaching within the university undergraduate level encourages students to be trained by combining supervised and individual learning activities. The supervised activities are developed through learning modules and the solution of a challenge-project, fundamentally. The particular ones are implemented by carrying out individual or group investigations related to the learning modules, or solving exercises, problems or cases that allow them to develop the ability to analyze the interaction between the components of a mechatronic system based on the synergy between them. An important element raised in this work is the challenge-project proposed to the students by a training partner: designing, implementing and testing of a shoulder wheel, which begins in training unit MR2003B, of the fourth semester. For this stage, the first step has been the identification of the training partner's needs: a system that allows physical therapy to be carried out on people with problems in their upper limbs, adjustable to different sizes, robust, environmentally friendly, and ergonomic. The second step was to determine the technical specifications between them: system attached to a wall, built with recycled or recyclable materials, with a simple interface to select therapies and with a fastening mechanism that does not cause discomfort to the patient. Finally, each student workgroup presented a sketch of their proposal, which will be continued in two other training units of the fourth semester of the major.

Keywords:

Project learning, challenge, shoulder wheel, training unit, TEC21 educational model.