Study and Lighting Design in an Electrical Engineering Programme

Technology is a powerful and resourceful tool in teaching and learning as it entices and helps all the parties involved, transforming all activities into alluring or challenging experiences, opening new perspectives into the process and maximizing the availability and use of the tools which the same technology provides. It allows levels of effectiveness in this modern and global era. This study integrates technology in the learning process and evaluation of its various outcomes.The present paper deals with the planning and execution of a lighting design project to be implemented in several monuments and has as main objective the creation and/or replacement of the existing light fixtures with more efficient ones. The lighting systems are intended to illuminate monuments in order to ensure adequate visibility and comfort. The luminous efficiency of a luminary has a dominant influence on the energy consumption and, consequently, in maintenance costs and use of lighting.The project involved the lighting design of monuments or buildings considered relevant or of public interest with the purpose of enhancing their beauty, making them more attractive to the onlookers. A reinforcement of learning applied to the historical monuments lighting configurations will be described. The aim of the projects is also to demonstrate that LED technology allows for greater energetic efficiency in lighting design of monuments. The inherent advantages of replacing the existing solution with one that provides better energy performance will lead to a future reduction of carbon dioxide emissions (CO2), creating an environmentally friendly installation.The challenge was to design a computer aided lighting project using the problem based learning model. With software such as the Dialux computer program, it is possible to analyze the advantage of using correct floodlighting and to understand how software tools can be useful in lighting engineering projects. The simulation design to enhance the authenticity and application of learning derived from the lighting project used to promote skills and understanding of working collaboratively. Both students and teachers shared responsibility in keeping up to date with the products of learning resulting from the simulation project.