Computer-aided Teaching of Math in Electromechanics Vocational Course

Authors

  • Eduardo Shigueo Hoji Federal Institute of São Paulo
  • William Barbosa Vianna Federal University of Santa Catarina
  • Taísa Almeida Félix Federal Institute of Brasília

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3991/ijep.v3iS2.2445

Keywords:

technical education, mathematics teaching, numerical computation, adult education

Abstract


This paper describes the experience of teaching mathematics in the electromechanics vocational course with aid of the computer. Instead of giving a bunch of equations and a calculator to the students, as it is usual in vocational courses, we offer them Octave, which is a numerical computational tool. Furthermore, the mathematical concepts involved in the solution of applied problems are provided within a multidisciplinary framework. The proposed approach helped to reduce the abstraction of mathematics for the students. Despite the deficiencies the students in vocational courses have in their formation, we could notice that their perception regarding mathematics has changed after figuring out that “a bunch of numbers” can be useful in the solution of problems they shall face in their professional life. The approach was applied to three groups already. All of them are composed of mature students, who passed by a flawed basic educational system and stayed away from school for a long time.

Author Biographies

Eduardo Shigueo Hoji, Federal Institute of São Paulo

E. S. Hoji received the B.S. degree in electrical engineering, M.Sc., and Ph.D. degrees from the UNESP—Ilha Solteira, Brazil, in 2004, 2006, and 2011, respectively. In 2007 he was a Visiting Researcher with the University of Castilla-La Mancha, Ciudad Real, Spain. His main interests are in power systems analysis, operation, and control and engineering education. He was with Federal Institute of Brasília, Taguatinga, DF 72146-000 Brazil. Currently, he is with Federal Institute of São Paulo, Birigui, SP 16201-407 Brazil 

William Barbosa Vianna, Federal University of Santa Catarina

W. B. Vianna received the M.Sc., and Ph.D. degrees in Production Engineering at Federal University of Santa Catarina - UFSC, Brazil, in 2008 and 2011, respectively. He was with Federal Institute of Brasília, Taguatinga, DF 72146-000 Brazil. Now, he is with Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC 88.036-570 Brazil. His main interests include quality management, multicriteria decision theory, performance assessment and information science. 

Taísa Almeida Félix, Federal Institute of Brasília

T. A. Félix received the Electrical Engineer degree at Federal University of Campina Grande – UFCG, Brazil. She is currently with Federal Institute of Brasília, DF 72146-000 Brazil. Her research interests include electricity markets and power systems computations, economics, and engineering education. 

Downloads

Published

2013-02-27

How to Cite

Hoji, E. S., Vianna, W. B., & Félix, T. A. (2013). Computer-aided Teaching of Math in Electromechanics Vocational Course. International Journal of Engineering Pedagogy (iJEP), 3(S2), pp. 39–45. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijep.v3iS2.2445

Issue

Vol. 3 (2013): Special Issue: IGIP2012

Section

Special Focus Papers