Collaborating E-Learning in Demonstration of ...

Collaborating E-Learning in Demonstration of Mechanical Practical for Engineering Students Akhil Deshpande Gogte Institute of Technology Udyambag, Belgaum India [email protected] Deepak Kulkarni Jain College of Engineering Machhe, Belgaum India [email protected] Abstract— The world that we know today

diagrams of various engine strokes on the

is tremendously developing in technology.

blackboard. But an animation showing the

The

the

motion of the piston, entry of fuel, opening

superior tools to communicate with one

& closing of valves and rotation of crank

another. The paper describes how one can

shaft & crank can easily depict what one

channelize his ideas relating to changing

has to say regarding its functioning. The

technology using these tools. E-Learning

studies have shown that the teaching with

has changed the mode of education across

the aid of e-learning have turned out to be

the globe. The chalk and blackboard is

more efficient. The results of the students

being replaced by computer. Animations

have shown good improvement than

and

compared to the monotonic blackboard

computers

motion

and

media

pictures

give

are

in-depth

knowledge to the technical students. E-

teaching.

Learning

in

engineering students to grasp the topics of

engineering course work for theory as well

their course work easily as anything in

as

motion is grasped easily rather than static

can

laboratories

be

implemented

thus

benefiting

the

students so that they can perform their

Thus

e-learning

helps

the

blackboard diagrams.

course work without any hassle. This mode also improves the teaching skills of a teacher so that he can deliver the lecture

Keywords— Collaboration Learning, ELearning, Engineering, Mechanical practical

efficiently with the aid of e-learning. For example to demonstrate how an Internal Combustion laborious

Engine

task

to

functions, demonstrate

it

is

with

I. INTRODUCTION Mechanical engineering is of the most sought after discipline in Engineering. The

Akhil Deshpande, Deepak Kulkarni

term engineering itself has a much more

brings his weakness to light nor is he aware

recent

how

etymology,

deriving

from

the

efficient

his

skills

are.

Though

word engineer, which itself dates back to

monotonous teaching helps in completing

1300, when an engineer (literally, one who

curriculum on time but lacks in efficiency.

operates an engine) originally referred to “a

This causes turbulence of the subject matter

constructor of military engines”. It deals with

in

the study of design and manufacturing of

regarding the subject forever. With the aid of

machines, engines, etc, from the basic

e-learning the subject can be divided into

principles, laws and formulations derived in

two parts, thereby saving time and energy of

the modern and classical physics.

both the students and the teacher making

The universities in India that affiliate a

the

student;

he

remains

confused

learning more effective.

offer

Another most important challenge a

Mechanical Engineering as a course in

teacher has to face is the alertness quotient of

almost all engineering colleges. Taking the

the students. Some students grasp very

example

Technological

quickly during day time and some are

University, Belgaum affiliates around 200

nocturnal readers. The alertness duration of

engineering college across the state of

females is proved to be more than males by

Karnataka in India. The admission every

Berg, W. Keith et al [2]. So when we

year for Mechanical Engineering in every

consider Mechanical

college

The

comprises of male students and few female

curriculum comprises of 52 hours of classes

students. Hence we normally find students

and 42 hours of lab [7]. A typical class of

going restless once their saturation point of

duration one hour comprises of 60 to 75

grasping is reached. Also the monotonous

students. A teacher has great challenges

blackboard teaching is boredom to students

every day.

especially for long duration lectures. Hence

number

of

engineering

Visvesvaraya

is

about

120

colleges

students.

Every subject comprises of eight units

course, it mainly

the need of e-learning comes into picture.

which needs to be taught in 52 classes. The

Timing of the class and climatic condition

examination pattern is Eight questions.

also plays an important role on duration of

Students have to answer any five full

alertness. Environmental factors like sound,

questions. Each question has 20 marks and

temperature, light, vibration, ventilation,

total is 100 marks. Due to lack of time a

ergonomics, physical activity and nutritional

teacher concentrates more on completion of

intakes also affect the alertness of the learner

curriculum rather than having feedback from

[6]. In certain countries where temperature

students after every lecture. This neither

drops to -20 degree Celsius, it is difficult to

Collaborating E-Learning in Demonstration of Mechanical Practical for Engineering Students reach to the educational institutions to attend

lack of space and economic constraints.

their lectures. So in such extreme conditions

Hence a question now arises how will

sitting at home with a cup of coffee, one can

student know about subjects like power plant

learn his curriculum with the aid of e-

engineering without seeing one practically?

learning.

The answer one normally gives is to visit

II. CONCEPT Many feel that the job of a mechanical

one. But one has to note that how feasible it is to travel up to a power plant. The

engineer is only technical. On the contrary,

responsibility to mange hundreds of students

over a period of time, the engineer needs to

is another hurdle. So here we discuss the

manage

impact of e-learning in engineering curricula

and

need

to

have

in-depth

knowledge of the principles of effective

which can be applied globally. III. METHODS OF E-LEARNING

management. Given the spectrum of task of a mechanical engineer, can we replace some of

The various methods of web based learning

the conventional classroom teaching by e-

are:

learning modules? Can we have some

i. PowerPoint presentation.

specific curriculum to be dealt only through

ii. Screening of technical videos

the e-learning mode? This can save time and

iii. Having a forum discussion

keep the engineering students engaged in

iv. Social media learning

learning even from home. The paper by Anand Deshpande and Deepak Kulkarni [1] throws light on the implementation of the elearning modules in engineering.

the

subject

that emerged in late 20th century. Here the

carry

the

information

to

be

shared.

With

Implementing PowerPoint presentation as a

animations and videos a student grasps

part of study of mechanical engineering

quickly. This reduces the teaching time and

helps the students to discuss the subject more

also covers the curriculum effectively. A best

effectively. If a teacher puts up an image of a

practice is to divide the curriculum into

section of an internal combustion engine on

analytical

In

the PowerPoint presentation the students get

mechanical engineering we need to study

an idea of the anatomy of the engine. Also

about

large

teaching

power

and

plants,

better.

PowerPoint is one of the significant tools

presentation is aided by group of slides that

E-learning module enables the students understand

i. PowerPoint presentation

e-learning.

machineries

etc.

textbook

explanation

can

be

Institution infrastructure doesn’t permit to set

summarised to short points or keywords in a

up such infrastructure in the campus due to

presentation helps the students remember the

Akhil Deshpande, Deepak Kulkarni

keywords and frame the answers in his own

in the college website plays a crucial role for

words

examination.

not only in student development but also in

PowerPoint presentations being data files can

college development. Forums can be read by

be stored into databases that can be extracted

anyone anywhere. So based on forum

as references anytime when needed.

discussions a candidate can choose which

while

writing

his

college he needs to join based on discussions

ii. Screening of Technical Videos The video screening for learning has emerged from the inspiration of screening of feature films in theatres. Like ways how we remember the sequences of scenes of a movie, the same advantage helps the students understand

the

process

better

making

learning fun. The Mega factories and Mega structures telecasted on National Geographic Channel are very useful and informative for the students on their personal development as well as they can update their knowledge bank and be sound with latest technology which caters them all their needs to get through and survive their professional life. For

example

the

internal

combustion

working can be best explained showing the video of how the piston moves fuel injection, combustion, openings

inlet and

and

exhaust

power

valve

transmission.

Conventionally it is difficult to open up an engine to show how it functions. Also like PowerPoint presentations video files can also be stored in database for references. iii. Having Forum Discussions Forums are one of the best tools where we can have teacher student interaction at any time whenever needed. Implementing forums

about the information he needs in his professional courses. A teacher can post a topic or throw a question on relevant topics of the curriculum and students can answer or vice

versa.

The

advantage

of

forum

discussion is that every student presents the answer in his own way. May it be wrong or right is secondary, but at the end of the discussion a refined answer is ready for the question posed. This gains confidence in the students and students fare well in the examinations. To develop the interest of student in the subject continuous evaluation can be implemented on the topic discussed in the forum. This develops zeal to learn in every student. iv. Social Media Learning Faculties of technical institutions are big users of and believers in social media. Virtually all higher education teaching faculties are aware of the major social media sites. According to Moran et al [5] majority of them believe that video, podcasts, and wikis are valuable tools for teaching, and a majority report that social media sites can be valuable tools for collaborative learning.

Collaborating E-Learning in Demonstration of Mechanical Practical for Engineering Students IV. HOW E-LEARNING BENEFITS THE ENVIRONMENT. With the aid of e-learning module in the curriculum of technical universities we have lot of boons rather than banes. Let us take an example: A regular semester of engineering course in India comprises of 16 weeks. The course of mechanical engineering per semester has five theory subjects of 52 hours each and two practical subjects of 42 hours each. Total comes to 94 hours of learning per semester. Let us take 100 students per semester attend the class. We can have 25% of the curriculum

to

be

e-learning

module,

effectively 71 hours of blackboard learning and 23 hours of e-learning. Now there are eight semesters running simultaneously per year in an engineering college. Hence we

attend lecture. This can save the overhead and operating cost of the institution thereby bring drastic change in the environment. When just a single discipline of engineering can have such an impact on the environment, then what could the impact be if the institute as a whole is considered? In the one of the territory state of India like Karnataka where there about 200 technical institutions, and if e-learning is implemented in these institutes, it can bring drastic environmental changes thereby reducing global warming and hence the economic crunch is dissolved. The implementation of e-learning for the whole nation and projecting it to the whole world can have a very positive impact on the learning at comfort zones, expenditure and pollution. We bet this is the best that humanity can gift Mother Nature.

have 568 hours of blackboard teaching and 124 hours of e-learning per year. Now if we make e-learning module as the only

channel

of

learning

replacing

blackboard teaching we will have all 692 hours per year as e-learning. The students

Fig: 1. E-Learning global impact

can stay at their home and study. In a city

VI. ADVANTAGES OF E-LEARNING

like Bangalore or Mumbai in India it takes 1

The following are the few advantages of e-

to 2 hours just commuting 10 to 15 km to

learning [3]

attend the lectures. Thus e-learning saves

• E-learning is beneficial to education,

their precious time commuting to college, to

corporations and to all types of

and fro and saves their energy too. Economic

learners.

point of view it reduces fuel consumption incurred in their travelling to college to

• It is affordable, saves time, and produces measurable results.

Akhil Deshpande, Deepak Kulkarni

• E-learning has the advantage of taking

accomplish

the

training

goals,

whether additional tech expenditures

class anytime anywhere. • Students like e-learning because it

can

be

justified,

and

whether

accommodates different types of

compatibility of all software and

learning styles.

hardware can be achieved.

• E-learning

encourages

students

to

peruse through information by using

VIII. CONCLUSIONS We have seen that how e-learning is

hyperlinks and sites on the worldwide

beneficial to man and nature. Making regular

Web.

course work with the aid of e-learning

• E-learning

helps

students

develop

knowledge of the Internet.

module students can get more personal assistance; it saves their time, and also

• E-learning is flexible and can be

reduces boredom. Internet, social media and

customized to meet the individual

computers play key role in knowledge

needs of the learners.

sharing.

VII. LIMITATIONS OF E-LEARNING IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING The following are the few limitations of e• Up-front investment required of an elearning solution is larger due to

only

develops

interests and zeal among students to learn but also reduces the effort of the teacher in efficient explaining of complex theory, and

• Cultural acceptance is an issue in organizations

where

environment globally and can be one of the

may predispose them against using computers at all, let alone for elearning. • Inappropriate content for e-learning may exist according to some experts, though are limited in number. • Technology issues that play a factor the

infrastructure

environment.

student

demographics and psychographics

whether

infrastructure. It has indirect impact on

best efforts by humanity to save the

development costs.

technology

not

practical. E-learning also helps in saving of

learning [4]

include

E-learning

existing can

REFERENCES [1] Anand Deshpande, Deepak Kulkarni, “Effectiveness

of

E-learning

in

Mechanical Engineering Stream” The Ninth International Conference on eLearning

for

Society,13-14

Knowledge-Based December

2012,

Thailand [2] Berg, W. Keith; Adkinson, Cheryl D.; Strock, Barbara D. “Duration and

Collaborating E-Learning in Demonstration of Mechanical Practical for Engineering Students frequency of sessions of alertness in neonates.”

Developmental

Psychology, Vol 9(3), Nov 1973, 434. [3] Bloomsburg

University

of

Pennsylvania, “E-Learning Concepts and Techniques”, 2006 - Institute for Interactive Bloomsburg

Technologies

,

University

of

Pennsylvania, USA [4] Kevin Kruse , “The Benefits and Drawbacks of e-Learning” 2002, Downloaded on 18 Nov 2013. [5] Mike Moran, Jeff Seaman, Hester Tinti-Kane, “Teaching, Learning, and Sharing:

How

Today’s

Higher

Education Faculty Use Social Media” Pearson

Learning

Solutions

and

Babson Survey Research Group. April 2011 [6] Ulf Landstrom, “The effects of climate on wakefulness and fatigue” International Design.

Journal

Inderscience

of

Vehicle

Publishers.

Volume 42, Number 1-2/2006 Pp 2-7 [7] Curriculum Technological

of

Visvesvaraya University,

for

Bachelor of Science of Mechanical Engineering from 3rd Semester to 8th Semester.