WIDESENSEand

Incorporating Research into Teaching

Dr Marc MolinariElectronic Engineering @ Solent

With thanks to my colleagues Ms Helena Twigg & Ms Janet Bonar.

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Research and Innovation Conference May 2015: Research-Informed Teaching, Dr Marc Molinari

What is WIDESENSE ?

• A research project on the topic of “Wireless & Distributed Embedded Sensor Enhancements“

• Funded through the Southampton Solent 11th R&E funding round 2014/2015

• Background:

“Would you like to monitor your energy usage?”

“Would you like to maintain the health of production machinery?”

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Research and Innovation Conference May 2015: Research-Informed Teaching, Dr Marc Molinari

Aims of WIDESENSE• The design and development of small and fully

integrated micro‐processor based sensor data recording devices with wireless connectivity.

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Power supply

Energy Harvesting

Hall effect / Power

LightVibration

Sound

Temperature

Data transfer, storage and analysis

Research and Innovation Conference May 2015: Research-Informed Teaching, Dr Marc Molinari

Activities & Deliverables

• Research of usable technology & required specifications

• Interaction with industry & employers

• Capture state of knowledge and market at the present

• Publish research (papers)

• Generation of a knowledge file / life briefs for students

• Contributing to new and existing modules

• Prototype development

• Potential spin-off

• Basis for further applied research grants or KTP

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Research and Innovation Conference May 2015: Research-Informed Teaching, Dr Marc Molinari

Building Research into the Curriculum

• Gained knowledge feeds into new and existing modules in Electronic Engineering

• Generation of a knowledge file of current state-of-the-art technology in the area of applied wireless sensor technology combined with data capture mechanisms.

• Sharing of good practice & results

Most importantly: Tell about ‘research’

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Research and Innovation Conference May 2015: Research-Informed Teaching, Dr Marc Molinari

How to involve students

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Research Photovoltaics

Energy capture and storage

System DesignEconomyCosting

Quality, Safety, Security

Team work implementation

Selection,Life brief

Data analysis

Environmental Impact

Research and Innovation Conference May 2015: Research-Informed Teaching, Dr Marc Molinari

How to integrate research in teaching

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Year 1 / Level 4

Year 2 / Level 5

Year 3 / Level 6

Professional and Study Skills Teach basic skills & applied activity(presentation, writing, research, analysis,design, environment, management, …)

Applied examples of research outcomesShow & Tell

Pose research assignment.

Activate independent learning

Activity: (Re)search of existing solutions

Project: requires a research aspectCompany interaction – apply your knowledge

Research and Innovation Conference May 2015: Research-Informed Teaching, Dr Marc Molinari

Teaching benefits so far• Invested in NI Elvis II platform and

FPGA board for teaching (one)

• Invested in micro-controllerprototyping technology used in in-class teaching (distance meter)

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• Sensor kits to enable further research with students

• Interaction with industry

• (KTP)

Research and Innovation Conference May 2015: Research-Informed Teaching, Dr Marc Molinari

Summary

• WIDESENSE – Distributed sensor technology

• IET accreditation visit: (but: “research is not visible to students”)

• Plans to embed & share research in teaching:– Make assignments more research focussed

– Share good practice & outcomes in lectures and hands-on laboratory sessions

– Increase interaction with industry

– Engage students by giving them more opportunities to help out with research

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