M. M. Travassos Valdez

Distance education using a desktop virtual reality (VR) system

The constant changes occurring in todays teaching and learning processes provide a continuous improvement in the interaction of information. At the same time, globalization and the need for streamlining time facilitate the development of new methods of imparting knowledge. With the new information technologies, new forms of learning occur adding greater dynamism to the information. This form of learning, which optimizes time and space, is known as distance learning and it is being amply used in many different areas. Distance education presents the advantage of facilitating the teaching and learning processes without face-to-face interaction as knowledge is transmitted, partly or as a whole using technology. In fact, technological innovation has assumed a vital role in education. Looking to achieve more efficiency in carrying out the various activities, the job market constantly requires an investment in new skills and knowledge so that the professionals can operate the equipment and working tools, successfully and with quality. This paper presents a new system of learning a curricular unit of Circuit Theory using desktop virtual reality (VR). The software provides the possibility to understand the relationship between the physical concepts of an electrical circuit, direct or alternating current, through computer simulations and animations. This work was developed to demonstrate how a desktop VR prototype, “Virtual Electric Manual”-VEMA, can be applied to an engineering unit and used to enhance security and resourcefulness in using electrical equipment. Several interactive scenes were developed to illustrate the idea using a measurements and instrumentation laboratory as virtual environment. A range of interactive learning environments are presented: the menu with the first interactive experiment is the simulator of a DC circuit. It allows the student to analyze the setting up of a parallel, or series-parallel resistive circuit series powered by direct current; the second menu, features the simulator of an alternating current circuit and demonstrates how the student can perform the analysis of a circuit with resistors, inductors and capacitors; the third interactive experiment is the simulator of a three-phase alternating current circuit; the fourth menu refers to a study on the transitional phenomena. Finally, the fifth menu is an interactive experiment related to the phenomena of resonance. VEMA offers students the opportunity to understand the processes, helping them to better discern the procedures and trains them to interact with the equipment. The VEMA prototype addresses these issues and highlights the potential benefits of using VR for this purpose. Each experiment will provide technical and scientific knowledge in order to give the student/user adequate information and training in the subject.

Electrical engineering teaching and distance learning using a desktop virtual reality system

Higher education has evolved in the last decade with the use of information technology. This change was called distance education, a teaching method in which the student does not need to meet with the teacher on a certain day and time. The student may be either at home or at work and may have no interaction with the other parts, either the teacher or other students. It has allowed the institutions to resolve geographical gaps in order to reach the largest number of students. On the other hand, it paved the way for the “non-traditional” universities oriented for “adult work”, in a narrow range of graduation programs, compatible with the current demands from industry. It is also important to mention that distance education is becoming increasingly appropriate for non-academic studies, such as corporate training environments. This paper addresses Circuit Theory systems, more specifically laboratory practices geared towards teaching and learning. The choice was made from observing the needs in the specific context of a measures and instrumentation laboratory, mainly related with access to the means and equipment to carry out laboratory practice. The purpose of the work is the use of virtual experimentation to carry out laboratory practice and also as an alternative tool to meet the needs of access to the means and equipment of the laboratory. In the present case, the basis of the project was the construction of a 3D lab environment (Measures and Instrumentation) where the equipment and the components can be seen and manipulated. The project involves simple electrical schematics, which later can be changed in values, presenting new results, and displays a set of menus and submenus to support experiments. The virtual laboratory can accommodate new devices and scenarios, being adapted to new subjects, such as electric machines and power system analysis of the Electrical Engineering program. This work was developed to demonstrate how a desktop VR prototype, “Virtual Electric Manual” - VEMA, can be applied to an engineering unit and used to enhance security and resourcefulness in using electrical equipment. Several interactive scenes were developed to illustrate the idea using a measurements and instrumentation laboratory as virtual environment. The added value of these various features in the educational context is that they contribute to the construction of new virtual environments, able to benefit the communication between teachers and students and among themselves, thus creating new opportunities for each student to participate more actively in his/her own learning construction process. Rather than being seen as mere information files, these e-learning platforms should be perceived as a means to promote interaction and experimentation through technological resources.

Desktop VR systems - A distance learning method and technology

This paper discusses the effective contribution of a Learning Object (LO) to teach circuit theory based on research conducted with students of higher education, and their interaction with a teacher of Electronics. From the results of such research, it is pointed out which features one wants in the LO so that it successfully promotes learning. It is in this perspective that this work was conceived having as goal the development of LO, admitting that this may be a possible alternative to represent models of interactions, which occur within the area, thereby improving understanding of physical concepts, in particular those involved with the subject of electrical circuits. It has also as objective to characterize the learning process through a series of situations that are replicated leading to a set of behaviors from the students. It is assumed that the use of this tool can lead to acquiring a specific set of skills, a better practice and meaningful learning.

Analysis of an Incomplete Information System Using the Rough Set Theory

In this paper it is applied a Rough Set approach that takes into account an incomplete information system to study the steady-state security of an electric power system. The Rough Set Theory has been conceived as a tool to conceptualize, organize and analyze various types of data, in particular, to deal with inexact, uncertain or vague knowledge. The knowledge acquisition process is a complex task, since the experts have difficulty to explain how to solve a specified problem. So, an incomplete set of relevant information may arise. The study presents a systematic approach to transform examples in a reduced set of rules. These rules can be used successfully to avoid security problems and provides a deeper insight into the influence of parameters on the steady-state system performance.

An educational approach to a lighting design simulation using DIALux evo software

The energy is essential to the well-being of populations, both economically and socially. The increasing demands of energy consumption worldwide require an increased use of energy resources, with adverse consequences for the environment. Solving problems related to lighting design is a major challenge for the 21st century. One of the main goals is to make cities more comfortable and safer, to which the lighting infrastructure plays a key role. It is clear that by adapting the lighting system there is an attempt to produce a feeling of well-being and security among the population. The main goal of this paper is to reduce the energy consumption and adapt the existent lighting system to the present needs using modern and efficient technologies. This paper aims at alerting electrical engineering students to the basic concepts, particularly those in the domain of lighting efficiency, in lighting related subjects. A case study was carried out by the students, which will demonstrate the impact of the exterior lighting solutions on energy efficiency. The selected lighting solutions will involve LED lamps and the students used the DIALux evo software applied to the exterior lighting system of the “Calçada Santa Isabel” (Santa Isabel causeway) in Coimbra.

3D virtual reality experiments to promote electrical engineering education

3D Virtual Labs are the support of learning, a tool of education in the future. Learning in a 3D environment allows greater interaction with contents in a unique way as students perceive it as being really there. Simulations are being designed, a combination of real-world environment with the information supplied by devices, where measurements can be replicated and data analyzed. This study presents a virtual scenario of a Measurements and Instrumentation laboratory.Electrical Engineering courses aim to train students to succeed in meeting the challenges within competitive and everchanging professional contexts. In order to prepare undergraduate students for ongoing success, the courses must provide effective training in the application and development of practices, typically implemented in large projects and organizations. Developing high quality engineering course units is definitely a challenging task. Courses can be provided remotely, but careful planning is required to design quality course units because problems may occur in meeting quality targets. The developments in information and communication technologies (ICT), including multimedia and internet-based education platforms, facilitate the creation of reliable solutions to these challenges. Studies show that a smart application of multimedia technologies and webbased education platforms can provide great results towards better quality of engineering courses. Many challenges on how to suitably approach the educational process have already been put forward. Higher Education institutions use multiple approaches to teaching and learning, combining a range of methods, including e-learning, videoconferencing, face-to-face teaching and hard-copy resources in course delivery. The authors present a software model for engineering, which is based mainly on the Wirefusion® software, and a virtualreality platform called VEMA. The project intends to improve the quality of teaching and learning in higher education through effective application of information technologies and the sciences of learning. 3D virtual learning environments arise as solutions to the extent that, in addition to offering features associated with communication and information sharing, they promote flexible learning spaces and moments. At the level of higher education, and in accordance with the paradigm of Bologna, virtual environments acquire special importance to allow learning beyond the classroom time and space.

Traineeships - continuous learning and training in a work context

This work aims at describing the added value of the skills acquired during a Masters degree in Building Services Engineering taught at the Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Coimbra in the departments of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering. It is based on the training final report of the dissertation, and it is concerned with the integration in the world of work, describing the framework of the various activities carried out during the internship. The curricular internship led to the acquisition of professional experience in the area of project within the framework of special technical installations, including lighting design in its various aspects. Several lighting design studies were developed both of interiors and exteriors and were extended to designs of bunkering stations, hospitals, post offices, hotels and homes in general. It also led to the acquisition of professional experience in the fields of electrical installations, telecommunications, fire safety in buildings and HV AC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning). The trainee had to assume responsibilities, applying theoretical knowledge to practical contexts developing decision-making skills and overcoming the proposed challenges. The opportunity the trainee had to follow the work of the technical teams was also an asset, as he observed on site the deployment of projects as they were being carried out. He was also able to check if the work was evolving according to plans, contacted the architects, the building owners as well as the staff of companies in charge of other specialties. He experienced the difference between analysing and studying a two dimensional blueprint or even photos, and observing the actual design details on site, sometimes not so noticeable on paper or on the computer. This allowed him to assimilate important information, and be actively involved as part of the team, one of the reasons why the trainee opted for an internship of this kind that contributed to a better understanding of certain concepts in these areas of engineering.

Study of a clinical analysis laboratory's lighting system design

The lighting integrates the key factors in creating a desirable environment to space. The hospital environments represent, in general, a type of buildings whose activity has a significant energy saving potential. The type of activity, combined with the specifics of the health sector, makes this type of buildings a target for analysis and energy optimization. This work will therefore focus on understanding the analysis of methods of lighting design from the point of view of hospital environments, using the various possibilities of use of lighting calculation RELUX PRO tools, which are tested in the program through interior simulations performed for a hospital environment, more specifically a clinical analysis laboratory using lighting technology such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) seeking to compare with the current installation taking into account the most relevant criteria.

The success of active and cooperative learning in Summer School Courses

In this paper a new paradigm of education in the Summer School Courses (SSC) in Renewable Energies is present. This course aims at enabling students to learn about the various types of Renewable Energies, which can provide a great improvement in learning throughout life with many advantages. This paper presents the use of active and cooperative learning in Summer School Courses. Through this approach, it is expected that students develop positive interdependency, individual responsibility, dynamic interaction, appropriate use of collaborative skills as well as group work. The cooperative learning method differs substantially from the classical methods. This represents a new paradigm of education with many advantages. Cooperative learning is a dynamic process in which students are required to work as a team, with a common goal. At the end, it is expected that the students are able to understand the importance of Renewables Energies in general.