Lab-Tec@Home: Technological Innovation in Control Engineering Education with Impact on Complex Thinking Competency

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to present the results of the implementation process of the Lab-Tec@Home kit, an educational innovation that allows students to set up home laboratories to test and validate basic control engineering concepts. Specifically, the purpose of this study is to measure the acquisition and development of students’ perceived achievement of complex thinking competency during this educational practice, considering how valuable it is to improve their perception of additional skills while fulfilling the objectives of the innovation. We implemented a validated instrument to measure this competency before and after using the Lab-Tec@Home kit and in a control group where this educational innovation practice was not carried out. Although the results did not show a statistically significant difference in the level of perception or the improvement achieved between the groups, they indicated an impact on the homogeneity of the students’ perceived skills, which is a value of this educational tool and its greatest finding and contribution.

Communicating educational innovation projects in Latin America mediated by the scaling of complex thinking: Contribution of the UNESCO-ICDE Chair in Mexico

“…The improvement in complex thinking skills after the Bootcamp can be explained by having facilitated the development of multidimensional connections in the participants' thinking (Sotelo et al, 2023). Exposure to diverse topics, practices and activities could have promoted the integration of knowledge and the ability to approach problems from multiple perspectives, an essential characteristic of complex thinking (Silva & Iturra, 2023), likewise, the observed improvement could reflect the increased capacity of participants to adapt and respond effectively to complex situations (Farías-Gaytan et al, 2023).…”

“…Recently, particularly since the year 2022, multiple studies have been developed that address complex thinking as a method to have a deeper understanding of various problems that arise in educational reality, such as implementing citizen science as an enabler to strengthen skills of complex thinking (Alfaro et al, 2023), to measure digital competence as a key to the financial inclusion of young people in complex scenarios (Buenestado et al, 2023), likewise, various instruments have been designed to evaluate complex thinking (Castillo-Martínez et al, 2023;Romero-Rodríguez et al, 2023). These studies converge in understanding complex thinking as a macro competency (Sotelo et al, 2023) because four sub-competencies must be developed to activate it: critical thinking, systemic thinking, scientific thinking, and innovative thinking (Cruz-Sandoval et al, 2023). On the other hand, at the formative level, it does not require a specific pedagogical process because it can be developed in different scenarios, contexts, and situations (George-Reyes et al, 2023b), making complex thinking a pivotal macro-competency.…”

Simulation-Based Education Tool for Understanding Thermostatically Controlled Loads

“…The current digital transformation process has also promoted these new educational approaches. However, until the COVID-19 pandemic, its impact had not been as pronounced as it is now [23,24]. In fact, it is after the COVID-19 pandemic that a European Union (EU) policy initiative known as the Digital Education Action Plan (2021-2027) appeared, whose aim is to support the adaptation of member states' education and training systems in the digital age [25].…”

Hands-on Learning: Assessing the Impact of a Mobile Robot Platform in Engineering Learning Environments

“…Consequently, the benefits of learning by doing include improved retention of knowledge, enhanced problem-solving skills, increased motivation, and better preparation for real-world challenges. It also helps students develop soft skills, like communication, teamwork, adaptability, and critical thinking, which are highly valued by employers [25,26]. Overall, incorporating hands-on practices at higher-education universities can lead to more engaged and competent graduates better prepared to succeed in their careers and make meaningful contributions to society [27,28].…”