Description
Environmental protection is one of the major challenges of civilization. It is necessary to educate and promote this idea among young people. The project involves the implementation of problem based learning (PBL) teaching projects, the construction of the sensor networks and smart sensors for monitoring air, water and soil, with the ability to react to observed phenomena. The key issue is the use of modern information and communication technologies for analysis of phenomena occurring in the environment. Results will be presented during the conference 'Information Technology in Environment Protection' in 2015. Conference materials will be presented in the publication. The Norwegian partner, HIT, will conduct the recruitment of students from Norway, and create the conditions for technical support during the implementation of PBL tasks, such as research in the field of environmental protection, design and implementation of sensor networks and soft sensors as well as the technology to manage CO2 capture.
Summary of project results
The main objective of the project was a common realization of student projects based on Problem-Based Learning methodology by students of Telemark University College and the Lodz University of Technology. This enabled the acquisition of teaching experience by the staff of both universities in the implementation of interdisciplinary student projects using modern methods of teaching (PBL) as well as the mechanisms for remote work. Two groups of students participating in the project, both the Norwegian and Polish implemented planned projects obtained the predicted number of credits (ECTS). During the project period Telemark University College was transformed into University College of Southeast Norway (HSN) by merging of three universities. It turned out that the profile of the new university allows for wider cooperation with the Department of Computer Science and Technology located in the Vestfold campus. One of the elements of the project realization was preparing of publication, which will present the project realized by students, possibilities of performing interdisciplinary projects and which will be helpful for people, who are willing to learn more about introducing Problem-Based Learning methodology in the university environment. For promotion of the project a video was produced, presenting general idea of the project, showing people involved in its realization and environment, where the project was realized. The main material result of the completed project is the publication of ITEN2015 conference materials. The material contained in the publication is divided into two parts. The first of them includes articles documenting the experience with the implementation of projects using modern methods of teaching, mainly Problem Based Learning, as well as Design Thinking. This section serves as a teaching aid for people who are interested in broadening their knowledge in the field of modern teaching methods. The second part of the publication presents the technical issues that were elaborated by the students of partner universities: Telemark University College and the Lodz University of Technology, within the framework of student projects. It also contains papers presented during the conference ITEN2015 covering important issues in the field of environmental protection.
Summary of bilateral results
Telemark University College's main contribution to the project was enabling all students involved in the project access to the real industrial problems, which in turn were addressed during realization of common PBL projects. During meetings in Porsgrunn all students were dealing with practical implementation of DeltaV instrumentation and software. Within the realization of the project, the Institute of Applied Computer Science (TUL) provided series of lectures and classes for students participating in the project. Also the team at IACS has great experience in networking technologies, what was important part of the students’ projects concerning remote connection and control of robots via Internet. The main benefit of this common project was practical experience gained by students and didactic staff in the area of PBL practical industrial problems solving. Also the academic research profile of new established HSN will enable to establish new areas of cooperation in the future. The conversion of Telemark University College into University College of Southeast Norway due to its new research profile opened new opportunities for the mutual cooperation between universities.