Application of Simulators for teaching Engineering Subject

The adoption of new technologies in the teaching of Engineering subjects is really important in our days. Mobile devices (mainly smartphones and tablets) having become widespread, together with the high data transference capacities make this digital learning revolution possible. The problem with acquiring the skills needed to resolve a certain type of problem is one of the main challenges in Engineering. In this article, problem-solving simulators are proposed for a multi-device environment in order to allow students to access an unlimited number of problems with their corresponding solution immediately, anytime and anywhere (mobile learning). The types of problems that can be used are those based on quantitative methods with a fixed methodology which has to be followed. A successful case study has been carried out using problem simulators in the subject Operations Management at the Madrid Open University (UDIMA), with 3 different simulators having been developed. The results have been very satisfactory, both in terms of students' assessment and in terms of improvement of academic results achieved.