Portable Kit for Experiential Learning in Programmable Logic Controller Education (PortablePLC)

该项目是：(1)设计和制造一个低成本的便携式可编程逻辑控制器(PLC)工具包，该工具包带有快速断开模块，用于基本I/O设备、传感器和自动化系统的教学；(2)创建教学支持材料，应用经验式学习策略将PLC工具包与讲座、课外作业和实验室练习相结合；(3)发展教师将PLC工具包整合到课程课程中的专业知识；(4)评估开发的PLC工具包和教学支持材料；以及(5)通过研讨会、网页和开发材料的制度化来传播材料和结果。开发的工具包和体验式学习材料正在德克萨斯农工大学的至少四门本科课程和三所大学的六门课程中接受评估，这三所大学的少数民族入学率较高，可能会影响塔马大学的至少280名学生和其他机构的至少120名学生。此外，传播计划还规定进一步扩大到两年制大学、为少数族裔服务的机构和行业。这确保了所有背景的学生都有机会学习PLC编程概念。项目评估活动扩大了将体验式学习应用于工程教育的知识体系。这项研究的结果推进了自动化制造系统集成领域的知识，使制造业、系统集成商和消费者受益，并增加了美国在制造业的竞争力。

The project is (1) designing and building a low-cost portable Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) kit with quick-disconnect modules for teaching about basic I/O devices, sensors, and automated systems; (2) creating instructional support materials that apply experiential learning strategies to integrate the PLC kit with lectures, out of class assignments, and lab exercises; (3) developing faculty expertise in integrating the PLC kit into course curricula; (4) evaluating the developed PLC kit and instructional support materials; and (5) disseminating the materials and findings through workshops, web pages, and the institutionalization of the developed materials. The developed kits and experiential learning materials are being evaluated in at least four undergraduate courses at Texas A&M University and in six courses at three universities with a high enrollment of underrepresented minorities, potentially impacting at least 280 students at TAMU and at least 120 students at the other institutions. In addition, the dissemination plan provides for further outreach to two-year colleges, minority serving institutions, and industry. This ensures that students from all backgrounds have an opportunity to learn PLC programming concepts.The project evaluation activities expand the body of knowledge about applications of experiential learning to engineering education. The results of this research advance knowledge in the area of automated manufacturing system integration, benefit the manufacturing industry, system integrators, and consumers and increase US competitiveness in manufacturing.