Experiential Learning Using Solar Tracker Prototype In Industrial Automation Course

Abstract

Experiential Learnings is based on the understanding that the knowledge created as the result of an experience. Experiential Learning consisted of four stages, abstract conceptualization, active experimentation, concrete experience, and reflective observation. Experiential learning - Based learning is considered to have characteristics that are expected in the 21st Century Skills Learning. This study aims to develop experiential learning-based instructional design in Production Automation courses using a solar tracker system prototype. The effectiveness of the learning design is measured from the student learning outcomes and responses of the questionnaire provided. The control system subject in the production automation course is considered to have abstract and complex learning material so that it requires visualization to facilitate understanding. The development of the instructional designs is carried out using the ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation) model. The instructional design of the course was implemented in a class consisting of 40 students in the department of Mechanical Engineering Education in a state university in Central Java, Indonesia. From a series of lectures during the course of Production Automation, the instructional design developed based on experiential learning approach received a positive response from the students. The student learning outcomes were also considered good with the average scores of more than 80. This study shows that experiential learning approach could stimulated student learning in mechanical engineering subject.