Hypermedia based learning of process automation

Abstract

This paper describes the utilization of hypermedia based learning of process automation in the Control Engineering Laboratory at the University of Oulu. The hypermedia material was initially obtained in a COMETT Il-project. The project was concerned with the building of training materials for process automation that will be used both in university courses and in continuing education of people from industry. In this paper the structure and navigation system of the COMETT material are described and some results, based on a questionnaire and our own experiences, are presented. In an ongoing project at the Control Engineering Laboratory, the hardware and software facilities to transfer and use training material for process automation through computer networks are studied. This paper presents also a learning environment to be developed in the future. The environment consists of a pilot scale rotary dryer, relating process automation system, and the network connections to a local network and the Internet. The paper will also describe how earlier, in a COMETT II project, developed hypermedia material will be utilized in this environment. The paper will also outline problems that may be confronted while integrating different systems together and building this kind of learning environment.