Promotion of engineering skills using ICT in study process
2020
Zeidmane, A., Latvia Univ. of Life Sciences and Technologies, Jelgava (Latvia)
Engineering programmes firstly should become more attractive to attract a sufficient number of students, and secondly programmes should develop practical skills demanded by the labour market. Without an adequate level of ICT competence, career development of individuals is limited, so it is essential to integrate ICT into the engineering study process. Three types of ICT skills (General-purpose Software, Engineering Software and Information Skills) based on four categories of ICT tools (Informative, Constructive, Communicative or Situative) are the core of engineering education. The aim of this study is to investigate how the inclusion of ICT in the study process promotes the development of engineering skills and students’ readiness to use ICT in the study process at the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LLU). The sample size of the study consisted of 301 students (first and second year) from the engineering specialities of the LLU. Objectives of the study are firstly, to identify how mathematics studies and the inclusion of ICT in them can promote the development of engineering skills, secondly, through a survey of students, to identify the purposes and frequency of academic use of ICT and use of ICT in mathematics (one of the engineering subjects) study process. For studying Mathematics in the LLU students use ICT firstly, independently studying e-materials (both informative and interactive), secondly, acquiring MATLAB program for problem solving and thirdly, in addition, the students can use Internet resources to find information, use mathematical programs as well as communicate online in chats. Inclusion of ICT in the Mathematics studies develops the skills necessary for engineers such as communication, technical skills and teamwork. Increasing the impact of ICT in the study process, not only many students will have to change their learning style, but also the teaching staff will have to change the study process.
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