Incorporation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTS) in Materials Engineering

M.S. CASTRO; M.M. REBOREDO; M.A. FANOVICH

Journal of Materials Education

The International Council on Materials Education

Año: 2014 vol. 36 p. 1 - 10

0738-7989

ABSTRACT   In this work, surveys to students of Materials Engineering were carried out so as to evaluate different aspects of the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in their studying habits and their willingness to incorporate new tools. Based on data collection different trends were detected concerning the use of resources and the interest in the incorporation of new instruments which would facilitate studying. Most students (76%) from the basic courses (first two years of the career) did not show any interest to incorporate new technological resources when studying. However, all students from the upper courses (last three years) were in favor of this proposal. In the same way, students from the upper courses use technological resources, which are more advanced and, many times, these are related to their professional activity. They also possess information regarding the existence of resources to work online.   Based on this field study, we propose to incorporate new technological resources into the teaching methodology systematically and progressively throughout the course of studies. This proposal considers the use of a free-access and free of charge tool, Google+, in four progressive levels. The global evaluation of the proposal is not immediate since there is the need to follow the evolution of a cohort in which the progressive utilization is implemented. This process takes at least five years. Nevertheless, the proposal would help teachers/professors and students to carry out their specific tasks inside and outside University.   Keywords: Information and Communication Technology (ICT); Technology Integration; implementation; Teaching Skill; Digital Environments.