Weblab in Chemical Engineering between France and Brazil : validation of the methodology

Abstract

A Weblab is an experiment operated remotely via internet. Besides the strictly technical aspects of such an experiment, which may contribute for the learning of Chemical Engineering fundamentals, there is another important feedback when teams of students of two different countries are working together: the Weblab turns into an intercultural experience, enhancing the communication skills of the students. A Weblab between Universidade Federal de São Carlos (DEQ/UFSCar) and the Ecole Nationale Supérieurs d’Ingénieurs en Arts Chimiques et Technologiques (ENSIACET) is presented in this work. A mass transfer experiment in a bench scale reactor (agitated and aerated) had to be studied by heterogeneous teams, thus emulating challenges that will be common in future work environments. In order to perform the experiment, students in Brazil and in France were gathered into groups. The students had to make decisions about the procedure to drive the experiments. All the students were able to control the equipment, no matter where they physically were. Students communicated using video conference software. The students and teachers opinions on this experience were very positive. This methodology is an important contribution to the formation of engineers in a world integrated by modern communication technologies.