DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14483/23448393.21898Published:
2025-06-27Issue:
Vol. 30 No. 1 (2025): January-AprilSection:
Mechanical EngineeringDesign and Implementation of a Virtual Laboratory for the Analysis and Synthesis of Mechanisms
Diseño e implementación de un laboratorio virtual para el análisis y síntesis de mecanismos
Keywords:
Virtual Laboratory, kinematics, dynamics, synthesis, mechanism (en).Keywords:
Laboratorio virtual, cinemática, dinámica, síntesis, mecanismos (es).Downloads
Abstract (en)
Context: This paper presents the design and implementation of a virtual laboratory developed as a pedagogical support tool for courses in mechanisms analysis and synthesis within Mechanical Engineering programs.
Method: Our virtual laboratory was developed using GeoGebra, Moodle, and Matlab. The design methodology was structured into four key stages: requirements analysis, conceptual design, content development, and implementation and evaluation.
Results: The outcome is a comprehensive virtual laboratory framework comprising 12 interactive exercises focused on the analysis and synthesis of planar mechanisms. This paper outlines the functional features of the virtual laboratory, including its graphical user interface, user guide, instructional practices, and assessment procedures – demonstrating its value as an effective tool to support and enhance both teaching and student learning.
Conclusions: The virtual laboratory allowed students to conceptualize through the visualization of kinematic and dynamic variables, offering a complementary and interactive alternative to traditional theoretical instructions. This aligns with active learning strategies, as the teacher reported greater student engagement. Students advanced at their own pace through the exercises and were able to observe how geometric and functional modifications in mechanisms influence their kinematic and dynamic behavior.
Abstract (es)
Contexto: Este trabajo presenta el diseño y la implementación de un laboratorio virtual desarrollado como soporte pedagógico en la enseñanza de la teoría de máquinas y mecanismos en ingeniería mecánica.
Método: Nuestro laboratorio virtual fue desarrollado utilizando Geogebra, Moodle y Matlab. La metodología de diseño se estructuró en cuatro etapas clave: análisis de requerimientos, diseño conceptual, desarrollo de contenido e implementación y evaluación.
Resultados: El resultado es un marco integral de laboratorio virtual que contiene 12 ejercicios centrados en el análisis y la síntesis de mecanismos planos. Este artículo presenta las características funcionales del laboratorio virtual, incluyendo su interfaz gráfica de usuario, guía de usuario, prácticas institucionales y procedimientos de evaluación —demostrando su valor como herramienta efectiva para apoyar y mejorar la enseñanza y el aprendizaje de los estudiantes.
Conclusiones: El laboratorio virtual permitió a los estudiantes conceptualizar mediante la visualización de variables cinemáticas y dinámicas, ofreciendo una alternativa complementaria e interactiva a la instrucción teórica tradicional. Esto se alinea con las estrategias de aprendizaje activo, pues el docente reportó un mayor compromiso por parte de los estudiantes. Los estudiantes avanzaron a su propio ritmo a través de los ejercicios y pudieron observar cómo las modificaciones geométricas y funcionales en los mecanismos influyen en su comportamiento cinemático y dinámico.
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