This paper describes a model for laboratory education based on Kolb's experiential learning theory. The method is implemented using modern teaching technologies and a combination of remote, virtual, and hands-on laboratory sessions and have been applied to the teaching of the undergraduate process control laboratory at the Chemical Engineering Department at Loughborough University, United Kingdom. An argument that poor learning in the laboratory is due to insufficient activation of the prehension dimension of Kolb's cycle was suggested and verified, providing a pedagogical explanation. The quantitative analysis showed significant enhancement of the learning outcomes of the experimental group compared with the control group. Apart from the hands-on session, the proposed model involves additional activities, such as pre-and post-lab tests and virtual laboratory sessions, which are associated with Kolb's cycle to facilitate constructivist learning. The paper provides the first laboratory education model that builds thoroughly on Kolb's experiential learning theory.

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Laboratory education is a core part of engineering curricula; engineering students generally prefer to work on something real. The classical mode and the oldest form of laboratory education is the hands-on mode. Advances in information and communication technologies have contributed to the laboratory education by creating two new modes, the simulated (virtual) mode and the online controlled mode (remote). Recently, developments or utilizations of hybrid structures of two types (e.g., virtual and hands-on, or remote and hands-on) have been reported in the literature; however, until now there are no reports of hybrid structures of the three types together. This paper describes the technical development of a novel laboratory model that combines the three modes in one unifying software package, namely the TriLab, by using Laboratory Virtual Instrument Engineering Workbench (LabVIEW). It is shown that LabVIEW provides a single programming environment for developing all components of the TriLab. Furthermore, it is shown that the Joomla web content management system can be used as a solution for efficient deployment of a remote lab online portal on the top of the LabVIEW core software. The development of the TriLab using LabVIEW and Joomla for an Instrumentation and Control Engineering Laboratory rig is shown. The analysis of student survey is presented which has shown positive impact of the pedagogical utilization of the TriLab. This is the first paper which aims to provide engineering academics a generic architecture and software solutions to rapidly develop their own TriLab. ß

Abstract:The Technology Innovation and Engineering Education (TIEE) is a proposed Unit/Center/Department concept model inside a college of engineering. The TIEE concept has been developed in particular taking in consideration the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and/or Qatar contextual needs and National Vision in the transformation into a Knowledge Based Economy (KBE). The main purpose of such structure is to enable engineering colleges to better respond to these emerging needs of the GCC countries. In this paper, the concept of TIEE is provisioned as an abstract example of organizational structure development for other engineering education institutions that aim to play a key role in innovation and sustainable socio-economic development. The concept is derived from similar global examples and contextualized regionally; it is generic and can be deployed elsewhere with slight modifications. The TIEE concept is in particular vital for engineering institutions in the Middle East and North Africa as a vehicle for economic and technological development. The paper outlines the organizational structure of TIEE, together with its various programs and activities for implementing its stated vision, mission, and strategic objectives. Within this context, the paper also provides a thorough account on advances in engineering innovation, education, scholarship of engineering education, and developments of similar entities.