Characterization of biodiesel using virtual laboratories integrating social networks and web app following a ubiquitous- and blended-learning

Abstract

In this work, ubiquitous and blended learning focused on biofuel characterization, through three virtual laboratories, named “Determination of biodiesel heating value by automatic calorimeter”, “Determination of biodiesel density by densimeter” and “Determination of biodiesel kinematic viscosity by Canon-Fenske viscometer”, all integrated in a virtual platform, has been proposed. The idea was to approach environmental issues and sustainability needs to engineering students through biomass valorization or biorefinery development, avoiding or supporting costly lab equipment. Besides, same platform contents have been developed as web application and included in a Facebook social network group, named “BiomasaGen”, which can be directly, automatically and ubiquitously accessed. Finally, verification, validation and evaluation of results from the developed three virtual laboratories and web app based on social network have been carried out, assisted by Context, Input, Process and Products method. The idea was to evaluate the inclusion of social networks, comparing the effectiveness of combining social networks and virtual laboratories as a new teaching methodology. As a result of this study, it was found that students appreciated both, developed virtual labs and network web app. Their decision was based on the accessibility of information, feedback during process, useful virtual training experiments and video tutorials, as well as theoretical concepts explained during virtual learning process. Social networks are used for almost all students; for this reason, they represent a powerful tool to improve communication between teachers and students, in this virtual learning context. The social network-based web app helped students to easily access virtual laboratories from any location, which was also very useful when University servers were not accessible or unavailable. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that ubiquitous and blended learning combined with experimental laboratory increases the probability of successful scores in final exams of Master subject (p-value 0.0183). Finally, students prefer social networks as a channel for exchanging information rather than common channels, i.e. e-mails. It may be concluded that the proposed combination of methodologies may significantly promote integration of subjects related to new sources of bioenergy (biodiesel and biorefineries) in postgraduate education. This methodology strongly approaches environmental and sustainability issues to education institutions.