IMPLEMENTATION OF METHODOLOGY CDIO IN THE LABORATORY OF ELECTRIC MACHINES

In order to face the new challenges of competitiveness and productivity of the Colombian industrial sector, it is necessary that the new engineers formation is aimed at the development of their abilities and skills necessary to allow them to contribute to the country's innovation including technological aspects of sustainability and social development. Laboratories must provide students with a space for a practical activity that reflects the theory learned in the classroom, and also must be an educational tool to develop teamwork skills, discussion participation, conflict resolution, hypothesis testing and validation, come up with solutions and recommendations, develop critical thinking competences, and demonstrate abilities of oral and written communication. The CDIOTM methodology is implemented in the laboratory as a teaching strategy which allows reaching these goals. In the specific case of the Electrical Machines Laboratory of the National University of Colombia practices have been implemented based on the CDIOTM methodology, with new technologies including the integration of equipment and systems around electrical machines: rotating machines fed by frequency converter (power electronics) with measurement systems and associated control, information and communication technologies (ICTs) and integration into automation architecture. In this way, concepts of energy efficiency, power quality and EMC in the operation of electric motors of a production process can be included. The new development methodology for the laboratory practices along with new technologies equipment, allow students to acquire knowledge and experience, develop abilities, research and innovation competences needed in their professional practice that allows them to face challenges associated with performance of electrical machines in industrial applications.