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- 3D printing online learning environements: multiple approaches towards self-learning of engineering design studentsPublication . Pikkarainen, Ari; Gaspar, MarceloThis paper presents an exploratory study conducted at two Higher Education Engineering Schools, namely in the Lapland University of Applied Sciences (Finland) and in the Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco (Portugal), with the aim of constructing digital learning environments that promote increasing learning autonomy to students working with 3D printing technologies in engineering design. Based on pilot blended learning experiences carried-out in both schools, new instructional design solutions are proposed and discussed, aiming at a widespread use of such digital platforms not only for blended and online learning processes in engineering schools, but also as Massive Open Online Courses open to wider communities interested in such technologies.
- Industry 4.0 and telecollaboration to promote cooperation networks: a pilot survey in the portuguese region of Castelo BrancoPublication . Régio, Mónica; Gaspar, Marcelo; Farinha, Luís; Morgado, MargaridaAccording to the World Economic Forum, the Fourth Industrial Revolution – also known as Industry 4.0 – is expected to take place before 2020, fostering significant changes in the way people think, live and work. Impending changes will have great impact on people and businesses. Growing digital interconnectivity will promote new business contexts, fostering communication beyond geographical borders and preventing physical constraints. Technological developments will also cause social and economic concerns, since they can create mass unemployment, inequality or talent shortages. In response to these foreseen working modifications, workers must be prepared to communicate digitally in a common language, known as lingua franca, usually English for global digital communications. In such context, local, regional and global communication is normally conducted through digital environments. Thus, as telecollaboration relates to the engagement of geographically dispersed learners in online intercultural exchanges using ICT (information and communications technologies), the potential of such collaborative methodology appears to be particularly promising for the forthcoming Industry 4.0 context, in which over one-third of skills that are considered important in today’s workforce will have changed. In order to assess the potential of such collaborative ICT-based learning methodologies to promote digital cooperation networks amongst companies and enterprises, a pilot survey focused on telecollaboration was carried-out in the Portuguese region of Castelo Branco. Preliminary results allowed discussing the advantages of combining such learning methodologies with the digital interconnectivity related to the Industry 4.0 context to develop new strategic avenues of cooperation between regional, national and international actors.
- Enhancing regional produce as green products for the global market: an exploratory study in a portuguese regionPublication . Gaspar, Marcelo; Julião, Jorge; Tjahjono, BennyThis study focuses on exploring the sustainability characteristics of the regional produce, which comes from the Beiras region of Portugal to support new differentiation claims and forecast its effect on a global mass-market. Considering a Multiple Helix approach, this study aims to examine the role and perception of local academia in relation to this new premise to enhance the dynamic and competitive positioning of such regional produce. To this end, several in-depth interviews were conducted with local researchers and decision-makers, allowing the significance and potential of the proposed green claims to be discussed. Several insights into the subject were developed and new directives were presented. Nonetheless, complementary research may still be necessary to assess the remaining multiple helix actors of the local ecosystem in order to identify and develop the most promising strategies to effectively promote local endogenous produce to a global market.
- The co-construction of a bilingual glossary of terms for engineering design technologies as part of learning in engineering trough a collaborative CLIL approachPublication . Gaspar, Marcelo; Régio, Mónica; Morgado, MargaridaThis case study refers to the collaborative work of pre-engineering and engineering students, supported by their content and English for Specific Purposes (ESP) teachers, on the development of a full semester assignment focusing on the design and construction of a dedicated glossary of terms. Based on a student-centered Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) approach, intermediate tasks were proposed to the students to construct their own personal glossary about the subject. As a result of the combined effort of all actors, a full class bilingual glossary of terms was obtained for engineering design technologies as part of learning in engineering through a collaborative CLIL approach.
- Intercultural communicative skills in the training of industrial engineers: a case-study on students' perceptionsPublication . Gaspar, Marcelo; Régio, Mónica; Morgado, MargaridaIn order to understand the intercultural awareness development of engineering students, which is necessary for them to fully function in globalized educational and professional work contexts, a dedicated project was carried-out with Industrial Engineering students in a Higher Education Portuguese Polytechnic Institute during three successive academic years in the framework of an adjunct CLIL pilot experiment. Students’ perceptions were collected and assessed in order to tackle two main research questions: “Do students feel they have more opportunities for global employment or globally networked collaborative innovation?” and “What were the difficulties experienced because of the CLIL methodological approach?”. Preliminary findings point out that even though students feel that competence in English is important (or very important) concerning their work as engineers, the majority states not being proficient in that language. Students also refer that the CLIL approach allowed them to develop collaborative work with other colleagues and helped them understand better their own personal language learning needs, thus contributing to facilitate their communication in a foreign language.
- Circular economy in a multiple helix perspective: a reviewPublication . Gaspar, Marcelo; Julião, Jorge; Tjahjono, BennyThe Multiple Helix may be defined as a general framework to explore complex innovation dynamics amongst the main actors such as governance, academia, industry and society. Considering that the Multiple Helix approach adds to the traditional Triple Helix framework the influence of society in its multiple intervening roles, a wider and broader discussion is needed to fully comprehend the resulting dynamics in such complex ecosystems. As currently innovation cannot be discussed without considering sustainability aspects and goals, multiple combinations of knowledge and resources have to be addressed in an attempt to harmonize the ambitions of both environmental conservation and economic growth. To this end, current study aims at reviewing and discussing the Circular Economy fundamentals based on a Multiple Helix framework, as it is considered key that the relationship between industry and environment is crucial for industrial business performance. The body of knowledge that is created here is meant to support mainly students and practitioners, but also new researchers, which are addressing the problematic of Circular Economy in a Multiple Helix Perspective.
- Enhanced reconditioning of heavy-duty pulp industry equipment: advantages of abrasive waterjet cuttingPublication . Ramalho, Armando; Silva, Agostinho; Gaspar, Marcelo; Capela, Carlos; Celorrio-Barragué, Luis; Dan, GlăvanWithin a pulp industry production process, a drop in the performance of a wood log rotary debarker was identified. Such loss of performance was due to the occurrence of excessive wear of the device’s cutting blades, requiring their regular and premature replacement. The material used to manufacture the cutting blades, Hardox 500, has characteristics considered adequate for the required use. However, it was concluded that the blade manufacturing process degraded its mechanical properties, leading to its premature wear when placed in service. The present study intends to propose, characterize, and validate an alternative cutting process to manufacture the debarker’s cutting blades. Abrasive waterjet cutting technology was proposed to produce the cutting blades. The suitability of this manufacturing process is discussed considering the specified geometry and the material characteristics of the resulting cutting blades.
- Organizational strategies Induced by the fourth industrial revolution: workforce awareness and realignmentPublication . Gaspar, Marcelo; Julião, Jorge; Cruz, MarianaOn the midst of this new Industrial Revolution, a disruptive change of technological, economic and social systems is expected to take place in a near future. In this context, significant changes are forecast to impact the employment landscape over the coming years. New challenges and new opportunities will arise in this digital landscape, demanding from future workforce the ability to adapt and grow in such ground-breaking environments. The objective of this research is to understand the main people-focused factors related to the shaping of the fourth industrial revolution, as well as to assess Portuguese local workforce awareness and realignment towards the Industry 4.0 paradigm.
- Development of a preliminary finite element model to assess the effects of friction on the residual limb of a transfemoral amputeePublication . Ramalho, Armando; Ferraz, Miguel; Gaspar, Marcelo; Capela, CarlosThe use of numerical modelling tools allows optimizing the development of complex anatomical artefacts, such as customized prostheses for lower limb amputees. These numerical tools make it possible to characterize the interfacial interactions taking place between different parts of the prosthesis and the residual limb. This allows for understanding which rectifications and fittings having to be made on the custom design of the artificial body part without the need for manufacturing and donning prostheses. To such end, current research focused on the development of a preliminary Finite Element Model to assess the effects of friction on the residual limb of a transfemoral amputee, as the friction on the contact between the soft tissues, the liner and the prosthesis of the amputee is of major importance for his/her health and comfort.
- Content, language and intercultural challenges in engineering education: (E-)strategies to improve instructional designPublication . Morgado, Margarida; Régio, Mónica; Gaspar, MarceloIntercultural, multilingual and culturally and academically diverse classrooms are a common reality in current higher education (HE) landscapes, as globalisation is effectively taking place in all major schools. Rethinking instructional design strategies that contribute to the overcoming of communication and cultural differences in both online and blended learning processes may help not only improve the development of more efficient online learning environments but also meet the challenges of current teaching and learning processes. Special focus will be put into engineering education through the medium of English and the training of engineering lecturers in HE through communities of practice (CoPs), which present, integrate and discuss how to integrate content and language (through what is known as the content and language integrated learning (CLIL) approach) as well as trends, challenges and opportunities related to recent technological developments on students’ learning ourcomes. The desciption of the pedagogical training shared through a CoP describes E-strategies to improve instructional design in engineering courses in online learning environments when English is used as a medium of instruction and integrated with content in a CLIL approach.
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