Research, Reflections and Innovations in Integrating ICT in Education
Competency and skills training for Internet use of standards and procedures databases in the aeronautical industry
M. G. Del Rio-Cidoncha*, J. Martínez-Palacios, R. Ortiz-Marin, L. García-Ruesgas and M. L. Balsa-Anaya
Graphical Engineering Department, University of Seville, Avda. de los Descubrimientos s/n, 41092 Seville, Spain Design and manufacture in the aeronautical sector are strongly bound to and driven by a broad set of national and international regulations. This is fundamentally due to safety, a determining factor within the industry. The aforementioned standards have been or are in the process of being introduced in distinct databases. It is therefore imperative to comprehend the use of scientific and technical knowledge bases specific to the discipline which students must build on as practising professionals. We present examples of practical experiences in order to provide structuring training, putting an emphasis on the importance of students pushing themselves and thinking independently according with the European Higher Education Area, (EHEA) recommendations. To achieve this, the student is provided with theoretical and practical documentation as well as a small amount of multimedia material created together with Macromedia Captivate, focussing on the distinct methods for finding information as well as methods for accessing a variety of information sources, exclusively using the internet. The material is designed to be delivered as part of Technical drawing during the first course of Aeronautical Engineering. Keywords data bases, information sources, Internet, multimedia, standards.
1. Introduction
Within an information and knowledge society, the Internet is a means of communicating that provides innovative training options [1-4]. It is a key working tool amongst teaching/learning methodologies [5] and represents an information source that students are able to dive into and select the resources that wish to consult [6]. Nevertheless one of the major drawbacks is the excess of information [7]. Guidance with regard to accessing and use is necessary in order to optimize connection time and understanding of the main tools available on the Internet [8]. As such, we offer a pilot experience whose aim is to provide structured training, accentuating the importance of students pushing themselves and thinking independently according with the European Higher Education Area. To achieve this, the student is provided with theoretical and practical documentation as well as a small amount of multimedia material created together with Macromedia Captivate, focussing on the distinct methods for finding information as well as methods for accessing a variety of information sources, exclusively using the internet. The material is designed to be delivered as part of Technical drawing during the first course of Aeronautical Engineering.
2. Internet
Internet is a worldwide web of computer networks that allows instantaneous communication with anyone in the World, permitting simultaneous sharing of resources [9]. It functions as an TCP/IP language (protocol) which has the advantage of being able to be read by all computers (Personal Computer, Unix, Macintosh,...). The widespread dissemination of the aforementioned network has been achieved through its ease of use. Internet services and applications are unlimited.
3. Search for information on the Internet in a structured way
The immense quantity and diversity of information available on the web is not organised in order to facilitate its easy recuperation. It is necessary therefore to employ a variety of methods to locate and recuperate information depending on what is being searched for. 3.1. Using a specific Internet site An Internet Navigator is required in order to consult a specific site (the most common are Netscape and Internet Explorer). Each site has a distinct URL (Uniform Resource Locator) address that represents the name of the
*
Corresponding author: e-mail: cidoncha@esi.us.es, Phone: +34 954486160, Fax: +34 954486158
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Research, Reflections and Innovations in Integrating ICT in Education
computer connected to the Internet that provides the document and the file name located on the aforementioned computer. 3.2. Using Directories or Reference Material Indices A directory is basically an alphabetical list of reference materials which is broken down and subdivided into the resources contained in the directory. On the Internet this type of service assists in locating collections of links to resources for a given topic. The majority provide a search machine to investigate within the system. 3.3. Using Search Engines Search machines are supercomputers that continually comb the web, constructing a vast index of all pages and their content. Normally selection criteria do not exist with regard to the files added to the database of such engines. They are catered to searching for specific sites. Currently a large amount of general or specialised search engines exist. While the search language usually employed is English (Altavista, Excite, Google, Lycos, Yahoo,...) Hispanic based engines also exist (Ozu, Biwe,...). 3.4. Database Use Search engines and directories are not able to search the entire web. A significant amount of useful information on the web only appears when we search databases accessible via the search engines. This is known as the "invisible web". Such databases cannot be indexed by search engines and are usually held by academic or governmental institutions, involving referenced information and scientific journal articles. Many of such databases can be used at no charge. For example, using the directory http://www.invisibleweb.com/, searches on a large number of optimised databases may be carried out and optimised.
4. Content elaborated in the current examples of practical experiences
Keeping in mind the future information needs of Aeronautical Engineers with respect to design and manufacture, contents were divided in four sections: 1) Information sources (concept and type). 2) Catalogues. 3) Aeronautical electronic resources (Aerospace database, Engineering Sciences Data Unit (ESDU), Scopus the largest abstract and citation database of research literature and quality web sources, EBSCohost online reference system,…). 4) Technical standards. In order to facilitate learning, an informative session was held and a range of material for self-education in this area was drawn up. The aim of the session was to make the characteristics of these types of document resources known, to introduce the students to the basic concepts of information searches, to explain the main resources for locating and accessing technical standards and to develop skills in the use of such resources, contributing in this way to competency training in relation to information.
5. Design and application of reference material for self-training
Being aware of the importance of making available tools that allow for independent development and broadening of the knowledge acquired during the session attended, the following reference materials were drawn up and published on the library web page: 5.1. PowerPoint presentation on technical standards This document contains the fundamental definitions of the standards documents, highlighting the most influential organisations in the field of Aeronautical Engineering and the role of the Spanish Association for Standardization and Certification (AENOR) as the national organisation as well as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). In order to facilitate the search and reference process the interpretation of the citing of a standards document is explained. Following this, the most important resources are described, highlighting the most significant aspects in relation to access methods, restrictions, contents etc. Lastly, it contains advice for searching, laying out the steps normally followed for locating standards as well as the location on the library web of the range of materials available to assist with technical standards. Through this presentation it is hoped to set in place the fundamental concepts treated during the session attended as well as identify the most important sources of information in the area and correctly orient the search process in order to provide the Web addresses related with technical standards.
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5.2. Tutorials Two tutorials were elaborated in relation to the process of utilisation and consultation of databases (IHS, Norweb) containing the most relevant technical standards amongst those available via the library, using the Macromedia Captivate programme, allowing the copying and capture of screens, adding explicative text and sound so as to publish the final result on the Web. These tutorials facilitate the independent use of resources since the user is allowed to stop or repeat the recording and visualize difficult to explain processes [10-12]. It is important to correctly adjust the duration of the tutorials. For this reason they should not exceed 4 minutes.
6. Employed Methodology
The methodology is oriented toward teaching based on learning [13], [14]. The student participates actively in the learning process, developing their capacity to plan as well as their skills in searching for electronic resources of institutions (libraries, professional bodies,...). The teacher acts as a guide but it is the student, conscious of their progress in the process, who must make their own decisions, plan and manage their own activities [15]. Two differentiated activities were proposed: Activity 1: Consisting in their participation in a session relating to learning, directed by the professor, of 90 minute duration, in groups of around 27 students with regard to the management of databases. Denominated essential level [16]. The learning was carried out in a class room equipped with computers with an Internet connection. Activity 2: Involves the search for a specific database containing the aforementioned data, with regard to an aspect dealt with amongst the current course themes, to be selected by the student according to their interests. This should be carried out independently by students, individually or as a group. The deadline for completion of this activity is 10 days following the attended session. The independent nature of the activity allows critical capabilities to be developed so as to properly make use of search systems and to select and evaluate the information gathered. The organisation and presentation of the information gathered as well as contributions made by the students themselves also forces them to practice the basic skills such as identifying and articulating differences and similarities between ideas and concepts. The activity is to be evaluated on the basis of an email sent by the student [17], [18] to their teacher containing: • The address of a database where required information was found. • The method and the strategy used in searching for the address. • Specific comments on the information, so as to compare the theoretical content with that contained in the standards to be applied in real professional situations encountered. This activity raises the student’s exam mark by one point, half a point or zero points (depending on the quality of the work). Students may opt, in order to improve public speaking skills for future professional use, by making a 15 minute presentation of the work produced within the class format as a PowerPoint presentation.
7. Results
The opinion of 110 participating students was requested through an anonymous and voluntary questionnaire, where aspects of the activity were evaluated as low/medium/high (see Fig. 1). Of the 98 questionnaires handed in, it was observed that, in response the question phrased Degree of satisfaction? 90.1 % of students selected high. In response to: Did the activity assist in getting to know and better understand the standards employed professionally in the aeronautical sector? 97.8 valued the training received highly. In response to the question as to whether the explanations and assistance provided by the teacher were adequate, the data showed a 95% high evaluation. In relation to the tutorial, 62.7% were of the opinion that it was worthwhile (high). Lastly to the question, was the time available for carrying out the activity sufficient? 63.6% considered it to be medium (adequate), 19.7% high (excessive) and 16.7% low (indicating a lack of time available) (see Fig. 2). An evaluation was also carried out by the teacher of the activity, coming to the conclusion that it is a useful didactic resource in the teaching through learning process relating to the material taught in order to: • Get students to acquire knowledge, learning and skills relating to competencies (technical competencies in the management and use new technologies, favourable attitudes toward them, ability to plan)
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• • •
To achieve the goal of the student being able to carried out information searches on databases most relevant to their discipline as well as familiarising them with the distinct current aeronautical standards, both national and international which cover different aspects of the industry or sector. To encourage collaborative learning that requires the active participation and interaction of teachers and students, in contrast to traditional models of accumulative learning. To motivate students to study graphical material through active use of the computer and tools based on Information Technology and Communication.
95% 90.10% 97.80%
100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0%
Assessment
high
62.70% 37.30% medium or low
5.00%
9.90%
2.20%
Tutorial helpfulness
Suitable Activity Approach to professor satisfaction understanding professional explications degree aeronautical standards
Fig. 1 Assessment test for the different items
Right 63.60%
Overtime 19.70%
Limited 16.70%
Fig. 2 Assessment suitable activity time
8. Conclusions
In the following we reflect on the analysis of our experiences: • The teaching staff must focus their didactic methodology so that the student acquires strategies directed at critical, independent and coherent learning. • Internet is a valuable tool in order to remain informed, in this case, with regard to the standards and procedures utilised in the Aeronautical sector. • When a user carries out a search on the Internet, they are baffled by the excess of responses. Multimedia material created teaches how to optimize connection time and teaches students how to appropriately use resources. It is therefore a valuable tool that provides theoretical and practical information for independent student use in relation to the topics analysed. • Active use of the Internet and electronic mail as a means of communicating between teaching staff, students and both groups as well as the activities relating to the selection and treatment of information, provide an advantage for and motivate the student in the learning process.
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Acknowledgements The support by Institute of Education Sciences at the University of Seville (Spain) is gratefully acknowledged.
References
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