Problem-Solving in Integrated Laboratory using Hackathon Approach

There is a need to introduce new pedagogy practices to improve the problem-solving skills and critical thinking capabilities of students helping them to execute multidisciplinary projects, thus striving to meet one of the important objectives of the Automation and Robotics program. This proposed paper describes such an activity initiated by an instructional team of 3 faculty members that made students practice the engineering design process using an integrated approach for the selected real-time case study problems during their 6^th semester. This integrated approach methodology resulted in the application of the knowledge gained in three different laboratory courses, namely Real-Time Embedded Systems, Object-Oriented Programming languages, and Database Management System practice. The activity was initiated at the commencement of the semester, along with the regular laboratory activities. With a planned schedule, students were made to solve problems, namely, Machine Health Monitoring, Electric power monitoring system, and Sleep Health Monitoring, shortlisted by the faculty team based on the survey done for the latest research topics in the automation area. The time allotted for the activity was two days on an individual basis and was evaluated as a part of their final lab End Semester Assessment scheme. Evaluation of students was done based on well-defined rubrics to test their individual and team-wise skills related to each of the three labs integrated. Here, we present the summarized results of the Integrated activity using Hackathon Approach in the form of the grades achieved and the feedback analysis for the entire class of fifty-five, number of students.