MULTIMEDIA LEARNING TOOLS FOR ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

Ruplis Augusts, Gulbis Rūdolfs, Priednieks Eriks

Distance Education Study Centre at Riga Technical University

Leonardo da Vinci pilot projectImproving Vocational Education in

Electrical Engineering and Electronics (IV4E)

LV/02/B/F/PP-138.002

2003-2005

Project aim The aim of the project is to improve vocational training of

course “Electrical Engineering and Electronics”.

Project objectives To develop 8 EEE modules for ISCED level 4; To create interactive learning tools for:

Analysis of Electrical Circuits; Electrical Machines; Basic Electronics;

Project objectives

To translate EEE modules and the learning tools in English, Italian, Dutch, Estonian, Lithuanian, Latvian;

To ensure quality control of the project management and products.

Main target groups

Trainees in the “Electrical Engineering and Electronics”; Teachers and trainers in vocational education; Individual learners; Companies; Adult education centres; Centres for people with special needs.

Important specific aims of the project are:

Disseminating the progress and achieved results of the project among educational and industrial sectors and

social partners Quality control of the project management and products To create a modularised training programme at ISCED

level 4 for Electrical Engineering and Electronics using multi-media training tools in order to make learning more attractive, accessible to the individual and

efficient, and thus promoting an increase in the number of skilled electrical engineers

Partnership

9 partner organizations from 6 countries:

LATVIA: Riga Technical University (coordinating organization) Centre of Professional Education Latvian Transport Development and Education

Association Latvian Electrical Engineering and Electronics Industrial

Association

ITALY: Politecnico di TorinoTHE NETHERLANDS: XGrantUK: E&L Instruments LtdESTONIA: Tallinn Technical University: LITHUANIA: Kaunas Technical CollegeSelection of partners was followed through principle of mutual assistance related to organizations’ expertise. The role of every partner is fixed in 5 Work Packages (WP).

Project partners

Work Packages (WP):

WP1 EEE Modules WP2 EEE Learning Tools WP3 Testing, Feedback, Quality Control WP4 Project Management WP5 Dissemination

Work Packages (WP)

Each WP determines: aim, starting and finishing data, total number of staff days and costs, role of partners, working methods and techniques, the expected outcomes/results of the work package.

Methods and tools

Lotus Notes based groupware collaboration tool developed at RTU DESC;

Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment (VLE); Macromedia Authorware; Delphi software

RECENT RESULTS

The tasks of the project were realised in compliance with the project Time Schedule.

The planned aims and objectives are attained 8 modules (curricula) of the course Electrical

Engineering and Electronics(EEE) were designed for training specialists.

English version of modules were edited and translated in

partner languages

EEE learning modules for specialists in

MECHATRONICS COMPUTER PROGRAMMING CAR REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE WOODWORKING TECHNOLOGY POWER SUPPLY ELECTRICAL ASSEMBLING MAINTENANCE OF ELECTRICAL DEVICES ROAD MAINTENANCE AND CONSTRUCTION

21 innovative, original, interactive, learner centered EEE learning tools (computer programs) have been created in for following topics: electrical circuit analyses electrical machines basic of electronics

EEE learning tools (fromLatvian) have been translated in:

EnglishItalian,Dutch, Estonian, Lithuanian,

EEE Learning Tools:

There are five types of EEE learning tools (computer programs):

6 computer programs to master the basic notions of electrical circuits:

1 Topology of Electric Circuits 2 Connection modes (expanded selfassessment) 3 Reference directions (game with score) 4 Parameters of sinusoid 5 Addition of sinusoids 6 Active power

2 programs for calculation of electric circuits: 1 DC circuit calculation 2 AC circuit calculation

6 programs for simulation of laboratory practice: 1 Elements in series 2 Voltage resonance 3 Power factor correction 4 Three-phase circuits 5 DC circuits transients

6 Elements in parallel

4 programs for study of electrical machines: 1 Single phase transformer 2 Three-phase induction transformer 3 DC generator 4 DC-parallel-exited motor

3 programs to introduce in basics of electronics: l Logical functions synthesis 2 Operational amplifier circuits 3 Rectifiers

Every tool includes: a short descriptor details on how to use tool (instruction, explanation) example of assignment,

example of an exercise, and other information.

Developped EEE learning material (modules and tools) were tested in partner coutries by

Peers, colege teachers, students, traineesPilot groupsSpecialists from learning centrs of entrprises Representativs of production sector

Centre of Professional Education

Komentāri (13 anketu apkopojums :Ir nepieciešama programma elektriskajos pievados;Programmu paplašināt ar elektrotehniku un elektromateriāliem;Par Līdzstrāvas ķēdēm - mainīt kursora izskatu satura rādītājā, lai reaģētu uz peles klikšķi; teorijas izklāstā grafiskie apzīmējumi par mazu, burtus grūti atšķirt pat uz 17” monitora;Par spriegumu rezonansi - ir aizrādījumi, ka maksimālo vētību lietošanas gadjumā attēlotās vērtibas ir ārpus robežām, un tas pats ir arī rezultātu logā. Teorijas izklāstā nepieciešamas lielākas vektoru diagrammas un formulas, tās ir grūti saskatāmas.

NEWI North East Wales Institute of Higher Education (UK) 12/02/04IV4E- Beta Revision for Testing.Program as a whole (Viewed as a student).Looks and Layout: The layout is very good and it is very easy to use to understand. Everything has a clear label or title and is also colour coded correctly. If we were to have this program in NEWI and were able to use it through our course it would definitely give me and other students a better understanding of how a circuit behaves in different circumstances. e.g. voltages frequency and components (values being changed).It shows you the impedance value, current, power, phase shift (via a nice easy to understand waveform diagram), vector diagrams (showing phase angles).

Partner meetings:Riga ( Latvia) 6-7 February, 2003Kaunas (Lithuania) 24-29 April 2003Kaunas (Lithuania) 22-25 November 2003Turin (Italy) 26-27 Septenmber 2003Wrexham (UK) 4-8 February 2004Birmingham (UK) 14-18 February 2004Apeldorn (Netherlands) 9-12 June 2004Tallinn (Estonia) 26-27 November 2004Riga (Latvia) 12 February 2005Riga (Latvia) 18-19 March 2005

Dissemination:4 reports presented in international conferences ana printed in

proceedings[1] I. Klegeris, E . Priednieks, A. Ruplis “On the Way to

Improving Vocational Education: New Electrical Engineering Study Tool CD ROM “Electrical Circuit Analysis” 2002

[2] U. Antonovics, E . Priednieks, A. Ruplis „Demonstration of Interactive Learning Tools for the Course : Electrical Engineering and Electronics” 2003

[3] A. Ruplis, E. Priednieks “Recent Development of Some Learning Tools for Course “ Electrical Engineering and Electronics” 2004

[4] A. Ruplis, R.Gulbis, E. Priednieks “Virtual laboratory in the course „Electrical engineering and electronics” 2005

Dissemination

Mouse pad Leaflet Project homepage

DEMONSTRATION OF LEARNING TOOLS

THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION