Smart Fermentation at Home: Using Mobile-Sensor Kits to Improve Motivation and Conceptual Learning in Bioprocess Engineering Academic Article in Scopus uri icon

abstract

  • The COVID-19 pandemic unexpectedly accelerated the development of remote learning kits. This study introduces a novel kit designed to facilitate home-based fermentation experiments. Its primary aim is to enhance student motivation and deepen their understanding of microbial growth, kinetic parameters, and bioreactor design in bioprocessing. The kit incorporates an innovative sensor system integrated with a mobile app, allowing remote monitoring of fermentation processes. It provides real-time data on critical variables, including temperature, ethanol concentration, specific gravity, and respiratory rate. To assess motivation, the 'Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire' (MSLQ) was employed. Results demonstrate a significant increase in motivation among students using the kit compared to the control group, as evidenced by median scores and distribution patterns. These improvements are associated with better learning outcomes.

publication date

  • January 1, 2025