Macro Analysis on how to Potentiate Experimental Competences Using VISIR

Abstract

Experimentation is crucial in science and engineering education, regardless the educational level. Nowadays experiments can be performed not only in traditional hands-on labs, but also using online resources, such as simulations and remote labs. This study was carried out, in several Higher Educational Institutions and at a minor extent some Secondary Schools, in Argentina and Brazil, in 25 different courses, where VISIR, a remote lab in the electric and electronics area, was introduced along with other resources. These 39 didactical implementations took place during 2016 and 2017 academic years, yielding 51 teachers and 1563 students. Teachers' perception about student performance in VISIR as well as VISIR usage in course, were cross-analyzed with courses' characteristics. Some important factors arouse teachers should pay extra care designing VISIR tasks accordingly to the learning outcomes/ competences they want their students to develop, taking into consideration if they represent group or individual activities. In fact, students tend to prefer group activities and there seems to be a strong association between this factor and teacher perception about students' satisfaction with the tool. Teacher introduction and support to VISIR along the semester is also an important factor.