A Hybrid Method Based on Systems Approach to Enhance Experiential Learning in Mechatronic Education

Learning factories are becoming a key part in education to bridge the gap between theory and practical work for Industry 4.0 applications. With the increasing necessity of experience-based learning in classrooms, challenges arise in the development of tangible approaches to deliver such knowledge to future engineers. There exist some popular tools to facilitate learning in multi-disciplinary environments, e.g. experiential learning, in order to provide hands-on learning. The effect of problem-based learning has also been a well-known research field in education. This paper proposes a new hybrid model that integrates the systems approach with experiential learning techniques. The integrated model is achieved by clustering the system-based steps into the four sets of the experiential learning approach. The use-case selected is a mechatronics machine, which is a perfect example of a system where students can implement problem-based learning. This integration provided a hybrid tool for teaching any complex systems. The integrated approach will further enhance the research and learning as follows: 1) the implementation of the mechatronics system into the Alberta Learning Factory at the University of Alberta; and 2) the connectivity between mechatronics modules, and workpieces using Industry 4.0. These future research topics will further improve the engineering education using experiential learning and provide an opportunity to better train employees and future engineers in the province of Alberta.