Cooperative WebLab in chemical engineering between France and Brazil: Validation of the methodology

Publication date: January 2012 Source:Education for Chemical Engineers, Volume 7, Issue 1 Author(s): Marion Alliet-Gaubert , Galo Carrillo LeRoux , Charles D.F. de Jesus , Antonio J.G. Cruz , David Rouzineau , Roberto C. Giordano , Xavier Joulia , Claudio A.O. Nascimento A WebLab is an experiment operated remotely via Internet. Besides the strictly technical aspects of such an experiment, which may contribute to the learning of Chemical Engineering fundamentals, there is also important feedback when teams of students of two different countries are working together: the WebLab becomes an intercultural experience, enhancing the communication skills of the students. A WebLab between Universidade Federal de São Carlos (DEQ/UFSCar) and the Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Ingénieurs en Arts Chimiques et Technologiques (ENSIACET) is presented in this work. A mass transfer experiment in a bench scale reactor (stirred and aerated) had to be studied by mixed teams, thus emulating challenges that will be common in future working environments. In order to perform the experiment, students in Brazil and in France were put into groups. The students had to make decisions about the procedure for executing the experiments. All the students were able to control the equipment, no matter where they were physically. Students communicated using video conference software. The students’ and teachers’ opinions of this experience were very positive. This methodology is an important co...
Source: Education for Chemical Engineers - Category: Chemistry Source Type: research