Novel Use of a Remote Laboratory for Active Learning in Class

Authors

  • Darinka Ramírez Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Monterrey Av. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501 Sur Col. Tecnológico Zip Code 64849, Monterrey, Nuevo León, México
  • María Soledad Ramírez Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Monterrey Av. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501 Sur Col. Tecnológico Zip Code 64849, Monterrey, Nuevo León, México
  • Thomas Marrero University of Missouri W2015 Lafferre Hall Columbia, MO 65211

Abstract

 

 This study aims to describe a novel teaching mode that allows for direct instructor-student and student-student discussions of material balance concepts by means of active learning. The instructor explains the concepts during class time while using a remotely controlled laboratory system that is projected on a screen with real-time access to the equipment. Both the instructor and the students discuss operation of the lab experiment. Student learning styles and perceptions were tested using the Index of Learning Styles and ANOVA analyses were provided for academic improvement. The test results indicate that the active learning mode of teaching can provide live and real-time explanations of material balance concepts that can lead to life-long learning benefits.

Author Biographies

Darinka Ramírez, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Monterrey Av. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501 Sur Col. Tecnológico Zip Code 64849, Monterrey, Nuevo León, México

 

 Darinka Ramírez is a professor at the Chemical Engineering department of Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Monterrey, Mexico. She has a B. S. in biochemical engineering at IT La Paz, M. S. in chemical engineering at Tecnológico de Monterrey, and Ph. D. in Educational Innovation also at Tecnológico de Monterrey. She teaches mainly Material Balances, Energy Balances and Thermodynamics to undergraduate students, and also Educational Innovation to virtual graduate students at Tecnológico de Monterrey. She has experience working in projects with different local industries. Recently she has been working with innovation and technology for engineering education (remote Laboratories, virtual laboratories, flipped classroom, active learning and PBL among others).

María Soledad Ramírez, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Monterrey Av. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501 Sur Col. Tecnológico Zip Code 64849, Monterrey, Nuevo León, México

 

 Maria Soledad Ramirez Montoya is Professor of Early Childhood Education by the Normal School of Sonora State, Bachelor in Education by the Technological Institute of Sonora, Master in Educational Technology and a PhD in Education by University of Salamanca, Spain. She is currently a research professor at Tecnologico de Monterrey for the following education master and PhD programs: educative technology, educational institutions administration and PhD in Educative Innovation. She is now working on development OER projects that include evaluation, publication and research with national and international networks and has been recently become an UNESCO and ICDE Chair holder in OER for Latin America.

Thomas Marrero, University of Missouri W2015 Lafferre Hall Columbia, MO 65211

 

 Thomas R. Marrero, P.E., is a professor of chemical engineering at the University of Missouri, Columbia. He earned his B. S. from the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn, M. S. from Villanova University, PA, and Ph. D. from the University of Maryland, College Park, all in chemical engineering. Tom has been employed by four large corporations for a total of 15 years in areas of research and design engineering. He is interested in environmental and sustainable engineering, teaching, and research on carbon dioxide direct reduction, acetylene fuel for distributed power source(s), and the transport of containerized coal in hydro-pipelines.

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Published

2016-04-29

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