An experiment on enhanced learning through field exercise

Abstract

This paper presents innovative approach for teaching the subject Process instrumentation at the undergraduate level in Instrumentation engineering as a part of an effective teaching learning process. The approach presented attempts to elicit interest of the students on a continuing basis by illustratively bringing out the application perspective of theoretical concepts through a series of learning aids. These learning aids involve industry field visits to identify the process parameters of interest for monitoring and control in different application domains, formulate measurement techniques, identify primary sensors, transducers and their deployment, there by facilitating an opportunity for the students to not only connect the theoretical concepts to the real world application but also to develop an exploratory learning attitude, need analysis, communication skills thus helping them to evolve as a pro-active engineering professional. The details of the said approach are carried out at fourth semester level as an experimental basis; the metrics used for assessing the learning outcomes are presented.