Open Access Journals at Aalborg University
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The ESP32 Microcontroller as a Low-cost Teaching Tool for Mechatronics
Get PDFSouth African universities face unique challenges in teaching technology-intensive modules such as mechatronics. One such challenge is the variability in students' prior exposure to technology and programming. As such, not all students are equally confident in the technological skills required for the final year mechatronics and control module offered by the Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering at the University of Pretoria.
However, recent technological advancements have opened up new possibilities. The ESP32-WROOM microcontroller, in particular, offers a versatile platform for learning mechatronics. Its compatibility with multiple programming languages ensures that students can choose the language they are most comfortable with to explore the world of mechatronics. The ESP32-WROOM's built-in wireless capabilities further make it ideal for Internet of Things (IoT) applications.
This paper focuses on the selection of microcontrollers and their utilisation in the mechatronics course offered by the university
Open-ended Modelling Problems
Get PDFThis Practice Paper conversation describes the intentions, learning objectives, guidelines for problem design, and best practices for implementing Open-ended Modelling problems (OEMPs). OEMPs are ill-defined mathematical modelling problems assigned in the technical core engineering courses with the goal of engaging students in the practice of engineering judgment. This collaborative project, started in 2018, includes engineering education researchers studying student learning and practices and instructors iterating on problem design and implementation. While a significant amount of our project work focuses on students’ learning and thinking, this paper is designed for engineering faculty interested in implementing similar problems within their classes. 
Empathy and Education for Sustainable Development: An Overview of Key Publications and Implications for Engineering Education
Get PDFThe engineering skills required for the 21st century and the green transition go beyond technical knowledge. Sustainability problems are multidimensional and require consideration of multiple perspectives. Empathy plays a fundamental role in enabling the development of more humanistic and socially constructed skills required to act for sustainability. It is an essential element of human-centred design and ethical behaviour, as well as engineering teamwork, engagement with diverse stakeholders, and ability to work in intercultural settings. Engineers must relate to the needs of the primary user and empathise with those (in)directly affected by their decisions. This highlights the importance of helping engineering students cultivate and apply empathy. However, little research has explored the influence of students’ empathy on education outcomes for sustainable development.
The paper presents an overview of key publications in education for sustainable development (ESD) - the first step of a state-of-the-art review which is part of a larger study on empathic engineering education for sustainable development. The overview is guided by the research question “How is empathy described and framed in current sustainable education policies and frameworks?”. The paper provides a time-framed overview of the current policies and educational frameworks and identifies directions for future work on embedding empathy in engineering education for sustainable development. 
Exploring the Policy Landscape in Alignment to Outcome Based Education in Four East African Countries: Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda
Get PDFProposals to enhance the quality of engineering education in Africa strongly suggest a transition to Outcome- Based Education (OBE). OBE offers several advantages over traditional educational systems and also addresses challenges related to employability and international recognition of qualifications between countries. Transitioning to OBE requires a supportive policy framework and environment, as it demands a new approach to curriculum design and development, supported by multiple stakeholders. Therefore, understanding the policy landscape that enables OBE during the transition is crucial. This paper explores how the national policies, systems and context surrounding curriculum in Africa align or support the implementation of OBE. This exploratory study analyses national policies obtained from publicly available information and documents from four East African countries: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda. The study explored institutions accountable for regulation of engineering education curriculum, the alignment between higher education bodies and professional societies regarding curriculum and accreditation processes, and existing higher education policies around curriculum design advocating OBE. This study highlights the similarities and differences in the policies and guidelines for curriculum development in these countries and helps in characterising the existing policy landscape and its alignment with OBE. The study provides a baseline for OBE implementation amongst the four countries, and can assist with understanding other countries with similar contexts. 
Enhancing Engineering Professional Skill Development Through Industry-led Guest Lectures: A Transformative Learning Approach in African Engineering Education
Get PDFThis study examined the impact of integrating industry-led guest lectures with reflective learning on the professional skill development of final-year electrical engineering students at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), Uganda. Grounded in Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory and using Maxwell’s interactive research design, the study explored how this combined approach enhances students’ professional competencies and industry readiness. A mixed-methods design was employed, involving 73 students who participated in pre- and post-intervention surveys, reflective journals, and sessions led by three expert guest lecturers in maintenance engineering. Quantitative analysis showed statistically significant gains in students’ confidence and readiness to tackle industry-related challenges. Reflections further revealed improved problem-solving, deeper understanding of real-world practices, and growth in professional identity. Students reported high motivation and perceived relevance of the sessions. These findings underscore the effectiveness of structured industry engagement in developing both technical and soft skills among engineering students. The study offers practical strategies for bridging the academia–industry divide, particularly in resource-constrained settings, and contributes to emerging scholarship on experiential and practice-oriented engineering education. 
Focus on collaboration provides better data for climate adaptation and flood warning
No full textDet er vigtigere end nogensinde før at tilvejebringe pålidelige data for klimatilpasning. Oversvømmelser i forbindelse med skybrud og stormflod har enorme samfunds-økonomiske konsekvenser, og der er stigende politisk fokus på at kunne klimasikre og forebygge skader. Gode og velfungerende samarbejder mellem stat og kommune er essentielle for at tilvejebringe pålidelige landsdækkende data. Dette kræver kommunikation, inddragelse, videndeling og gensidig oplæring af de rette medarbejdere i både kommuner og stat. Samarbejdet om forbedring af det hydrologiske tilpasningslag i regi af foreningen GeoDanmark er et eksempel herpå.It is more important than ever to provide reliable data for climate adaptation. Floods in connection with cloudbursts and storm surges have enormous socio-economic consequences, and there is increasing political focus on being able to climate-proof and prevent damage. Good and well-functioning collaborations between state and municipality are essential to provide reliable nationwide data. This requires communication, involvement, knowledge sharing and mutual training of the right employees in both municipalities and state. The collaboration on improving the "hydrological adaptation layer" under the auspices of the GeoDanmark association is an example of this
Towards a Theory of Generative AI in Problem-based Learning: Insights from a Design Experiment at Aalborg University
Get PDFThis article presents a design experiment in which generative artificial intelligence (GAI) was topically integrated into a Problem-based Learning module in a pedagogical study programme with the intention to generate insights for both, future GAI-in-PBL practice and theory. Based on various data (student reports, notes, a focus group interview, transcripts of teachers/researchers’ discussions), three design elements were assessed regarding their potential to help students to develop their own learning practices with GAI, and regarding how the emergent practices and dynamics enrich existing PBL theory. The analysis revealed students’ weariness, shame and fear for/of using GAI, but also how the PBL process enabled them to develop their own reflective and nuanced GAI practices built on their own learning, integrating community, communication and trust. The experiment also revealed co-knowledge construction amongst students, while stakeholders and teachers were seen as figures of authority on how to approach GAI
Optimal biorefinery design and supply chain for the production of sugarcane bagasse pellets, electricity and bioethanol in Colombia
Get PDFBiofuels are considered an alternative to sustainable energy production due to their potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This paper presents a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) model to evaluate the optimal configuration of a supply chain for the production of bioethanol, electricity and bagasse pellets from sugarcane potential in Colombia. The results show that gasoline demand in Colombia is met through bioethanol production, and the demand for coal used in thermoelectric plants can be met through the production of bagasse pellets from 17 biorefineries located in 13 study regions. The avoided emissions represent 25.17% of the target proposed by the Colombian government, and transport emissions represent only 2.62% of the emissions generated by the model. Despite the promising results obtained in the optimization of the supply chain for bioethanol and bagasse pellet production in Colombia, there are challenges and limitations that must be considered. One of the main challenges lies in the uncertainty associated with the variability in biomass, bioethanol, and carbon credit prices, which can affect the long-term economic viability of the project. The sustainability of land use for sugarcane production must be assessed with a more detailed approach to avoid conflicts with food production and ecosystem conservation. These aspects represent key opportunities for future research and improvements in strategic planning for the bioenergy sector. Finally, the sensitivity analysis shows that the ±20% variation in the price of sugarcane and the price of bioethanol have a high impact on the payback period with respect to the base case
Modelling the demand for overnight tours between East and West Denmark: Insights from the update of the Grøn Mobilitetsmodel : Artikel
Get PDFOvernight travel between East and West Denmark differs substantially from daily travel patterns, necessitating dedicated demand models. This study presents updated overnight travel models for the Grøn MobilitetsModel (GMM), one of Denmark’s primary tools for evaluating infrastructure projects. Key enhancements include finer geographic resolution, explicit representation of long-distance buses, differentiation of car travel alternatives, and integration of 2023 survey data.Logit-based discrete choice models are developed to predict tour generation, mode choice, and destination choice for long-distance overnight travel in Denmark. Estimation draws on five travel surveys, updated level-of-service (LoS) data, and revised values of travel time (VTT). The results indicate that travelers between major Danish cities are more likely to choose air, public transport, or long-distance bus over car, compared to those whose trips originate and/or end elsewhere. Higher-income individuals are less likely totravel by public transport, long-distance bus, or as car passengers. Greater car availability increases the likelihood of selecting car travel between East and West Denmark. As expected, longer travel times and higher costs reduce the attractiveness of an alternative. Destination job availability has a strong influence on work/business tours, while hotel capacity and the presence of summer houses at a destination are more decisive factors for leisure tours
PBL Tutors’ Conceptions of Teaching Problem-Solving: A Phenomenographic Exploration
Get PDFProblem-solving (PS) is taught and practised in many higher education institutions across various disciplines. However, there is a lack of understanding of how to teach PS in a way that aligns with the specific principles and methods associated with its pedagogy. This study aimed to understand how tutors of Problem-Based Learning (PBL), a problem-centered instructional practice, conceptualize teaching problem-solving (CoTPS). Through qualitative interviews followed by phenomenographic analysis, we developed a model of CoTPS, which analyses how PBL tutors conceive problems in instruction, the process of problem-solving, and their role in tutorial groups. The categories of description, forming a hierarchy of inclusivity, enabled us to identify the least and most complex conceptions of teaching problem-solving. This model allows PBL tutors and, more broadly, higher education teachers to reflect on their conceptions and enables academic developers to create programs that enhance both conceptual understanding and practical application of problem-centred instruction