A student-friendly approach in teaching/learning theoretical concepts in automation

This paper presents some teaching strategies applied in a curricular unit of the 3 ^rd year of the Integrated Master of Engineering and Industrial Management at the University of Minho. The goal was to teach theoretical concepts associated to automation topics. The practical aspects as designing an automated machine or developing the corresponding Ladder Logic diagram is often well accepted by students. On the other hand, topics related to instrumentation, sensor type and functioning for example, more theoretical, are usually less attractive to students. So, different tools have been developed and tested along the past years to overcome this concern. This paper presents the last experience tested: evaluating a previously developed APP Inventor tool (developed by students) as wondering if it is a suitable way to learn automation; an automation conquest, where the competition may promote the stimulus to learn.