A Methodology for Training Toolkits Implementation in Smart Labs.

Journal: Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
Published Date:

Abstract

Globally, educational institutes are trying to adapt modernized and effective approaches and tools to their education systems to improve the quality of their performance and achievements. However, identifying, designing, and/or developing promising mechanisms and tools that can impact class activities and the development of students' outputs are critical success factors. Given that, the contribution of this work is to propose a methodology that can guide and usher educational institutes step by step through the implementation of a personalized package of training Toolkits in Smart Labs. In this study, the package of Toolkits refers to a set of needed tools, resources, and materials that, with integration into a Smart Lab can, on the one hand, empower teachers and instructors in designing and developing personalized training disciplines and module courses and, on the other hand, may support students (in different ways) in developing their skills. To demonstrate the applicability and usefulness of the proposed methodology, a model was first developed, representing the potential Toolkits for training and skill development. The model was then tested by instantiating a particular box that integrates some hardware to be able to connect sensors to actuators, with an eye toward implementing this system mainly in the health domain. In a real scenario, the box was used in an engineering program and its associated Smart Lab to develop students' skills and capabilities in the areas of the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). The main outcome of this work is a methodology supported by a model able to represent Smart Lab assets in order to facilitate training programs through training Toolkits.

Authors

  • Majid Zamiri
    School of Science and Technology and Center of Technology and Systems (CTS-Uninova), NOVA University of Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal.
  • Joao Sarraipa
    School of Science and Technology and Center of Technology and Systems (CTS-Uninova), NOVA University of Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal.
  • José Ferreira
    School of Science and Technology and Center of Technology and Systems (CTS-Uninova), NOVA University of Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal.
  • Carlos Lopes
    School of Science and Technology and Center of Technology and Systems (CTS-Uninova), NOVA University of Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal.
  • Tal Soffer
    Unit for Technology and Society Foresight, School of Education, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.
  • Ricardo Jardim-Goncalves
    School of Science and Technology and Center of Technology and Systems (CTS-Uninova), NOVA University of Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal.