Educational Advancement of an Industrial Automation Course: Combining Simulation with Physical Experience

This paper presents an education innovation in industrial automation by combining classical programmable logic controller (PLC) simulation exercises with physical setups. Five new physical setups are introduced in a third year bachelor course. The new teaching method is evaluated using a student feedback survey with closed-ended background questions and questions using a Likert scale. The variety in background knowledge of the students poses an extra challenge in this course. This is shown in the results as a lack of knowledge experienced by the transfer students coming from a professional bachelor program. The overall results show a keen interest in combining the new setups with the classical PLC sessions.