The use of virtual learning environments to aid teaching of heat transfer and Artificial Neural Network modelling in Bioprocess Engineering

1
The use of virtual learning environments to aid
teaching of heat transfer and Artificial Neural
Network modelling in Bioprocess Engineering

• Brian Freeland, Sumsun Naher, Greg Foley Dermot
  Brabazon

2
Presentation

• Main issues
• Student learning styles.
• New practical aims.
• Implementation.

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Background

• BSc Biotechnology
• 60 Biological sciences (microbiology,
  biochemistry, cell biology, immunology and
  genetics)
• 40 Bioprocess engineering, mathematics and
  chemistry
• Aim equip students for industry

Bioprocessing Engineering
Biological Sciences
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Teaching Methods Evaluation

• 2nd years
• Mostly lectures.
• 3 hours per week labs, semester 2.
• Year long heat transfer project.
• 3rd years
• Lectures.
• Lot of labs.
• 2 full days per week, semester 2.

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Student Learning Styles Evaluation

• Felder survey 80 of Biotechnology class.

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Learning Conclusions

• Lab practical's appropriate for students.
• Should offer information in a sequential manner.
• Should allow students a lot of input into the
  practical.
• There should be a lot of visual aids.
• Graphs, charts etc.

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Third year existing lab practicals

• Pilot plant lab manual based.
• Intensive demonstrator involvement.
• No hand on bio processing equipment experience.
• Little computer interaction.
• No visual teaching technique.
• Large data collection time.

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Research In Biotechnology

• Bioreactor most important process equipment.
• Grow cells, cultures, chemical reactions etc.
• Proper knowledge of heat transfer important
• Accurate temp control important.
• Process monitoring (growth, mass transfer etc).
• Artificial Neural Networks
• New heat transfer research area.
• TRAJAN simulation software.

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New Practical Aims

• Apply a virtual learning environment (VLE) to
• Teach a complicated subject matter - ANN
• Allow student interaction with Industrial
  specification equipment.
• Offer an inclusive teaching style.
• Offer a new method of teaching.
• Reduce demonstrator workload.
• VLE implementation aims
• Visual based.
• Interactive.
• Global sequential info.
• Safe machine control.

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Lab structure

• Full day.
• 1 group per week.
• Run over full semester.
• Labview user interface
• Leads lab.
• Reduced demonstrator workload.
• Lab manual.
• ANN development, step by step
• Student workbook.
• No report required!

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Implementation

• Integration with bioreactor
• Student interaction- Pc rig

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Implementation

• Labview programming environment
• Easy integration
• Cost effective DAQ devices
• NI 6008 - 140

Bio reactor
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Main page
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Theory pages
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Machine operation

• Machine Setup Sequential

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Machine operation

• Data collection screens.
• Mimic industry interface.

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Machine operation

• Data Analysis screens.

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User interface code

• Straight forward code
• Easier than VB, html etc

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Data Acquisition Code
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Student Results

• Reduced demonstrators workload.
• Offered concise instruction.
• Utilised a hi-tech teaching approach.
• Increased student interest.
• Successfully conveyed complicated subject matter.
  
• Mean student mark 66

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• End
• Thank you!