Distance Learning: Industrial Training Simulator Software
The Distance Learning Industrial Training Equipment is Training Simulator Software
Industrial Training Equipment VS Training Simulator Software
School Closures Expose Distance Learning difficulties:
Industrial Training Equipment Effects:
With 70% of Schools closing at the beginning of the pandemic, learning institutions found that their physical industrial training equipment, used for hands-on training, became less effective. Schools are now faced with the challenge of how to deliver valuable hands-on training to students working from home or socially distanced in the classroom. Industrial simulation software is a great alternative to instill the kinesthetic learning attribute you would get from in-person classes with physical industrial training equipment.
According to Education Resources Information Center (ERIC), class size, cost, and technology (more remote learning) are among the top 5 challenges exposed during the pandemic. The newer challenge is time for instructors to develop distance learning solutions. Our Site and Enterprise course licenses help with that challenge too. Also, our distance education solutions help address student challenges too, such as access to electricity, internet connectivity, distractions at home, and learning platform reliability. The primary focus of CTE/TVET is on practical skills and work readiness — which makes remote learning particularly challenging and is also some of the biggest advantages of using simulations in the curriculum.
Learners can practice, repeatedly, in a controlled environment, that facilitates changes in behavior. They can make mistakes and learn from them. They can experiment with new ways to deal with the same problem.
Employees can learn at their workstations when their schedules allow, rather than having to carve out time for classroom training on physical training equipment.
If the student or employee makes wrong moves, there will not be any real-world consequences (like damage to training equipment or harm to people), since the simulations are in a controlled virtual environment.
Simulations make learning fun and cover all learning styles, so the student will retain knowledge longer.
Industrial Training Equipment to Industrial Simulation Software Comparison Chart:
Prepare students for their future better, with Career and Technology Education (CTE/TVET) simulations of technologies they will encounter on the job. Keep students and employees engaged in learning. Educational applications and training simulation software platforms help teachers, schools and school systems facilitate student distance learning and provide interaction during periods of school closure. Additionally, using our prepackaged distanced learning programs will give schools and teachers time to figure out their online education and/or distance learning approach when the classroom is not an option.
Examples of Industrial Training simulation software delivery and licensing:
PLC Training Course with Simulator Software
This first example of utilizing industrial simulation software to get hands-on training at home is both an example of training software having training simulations built into the training software, and bundling a separate simulator software with it. We provide the simulator software as a free extra with the purchase, so the student can get even more hands-on experience. The simulators within the training software are limited to the topic being taught in a particular part of the certificate course. While the free additional PLC simulation software allows the user to experiment with different solutions to learn even more. (Experiential learning examples).
Note, as mentioned previously in this article, certain levels, and topics lend themselves to distance learning and training simulators, more than others. For maintenance or an industrial electrician, many topics and skills are candidates. For example, the PLC requires professionals to use a computer to interact with the PLC, so computer software is a great candidate to simulate. Although real-world interaction is also simulated in this particular example. Please click on the link above the screenshots to learn more about this industrial training simulation solution.
Under our licensing options, there is a single user (single student), for $159 per student. The other user licensing we have is the unlimited users per facility with the perpetual site license at $1490 per facility/campus. (Purchase the Enterprise License for unlimited site licenses (locations/campuses). The additional free simulation software CD has a license locked on a CD, so while the PLC training certificate course software could be sent via download, the Simulation CD has to be shipped. With a single student license, both the course and a simulator are shipped to the customer as a 2 CD package. With a site-licenses purchase, 1 simulation CD is sent, with the option to request up to 4 additional free simulation CDs to be sent. Also, there is an option to purchase as many additional simulation CDs, beyond the 5, as the School/Company needs.
So if an instructor needs more time to get their own online curriculum up and running, they could purchase a site license and email the course to all students to be working on (30 hours of instruction), while they prepare for the next phase of learning. The instructor could also use a webcast using the free PLC training Simulator CD to show the students more after they complete the course emailed to them. The courses also include a lab manual built-in, in PDF format as extra material for the instructor. (The single student license also has the lab manual built-in so the individual has some extra study material they can optionally use too.)
PLC Simulator connected to Factory Simulator
This next example of utilizing industrial simulation software to get hands-on training at home and without expensive physical training equipment is a rare example. This example is two full-blown industrial simulators by different vendors, interfaced with each other to create an even more accurate real-world experience. These more advanced simulators are for after student/employee learns PLC Basics (Motor control, PLC, PAC, HMI, Networking, etc.), to apply and practice what they learned. Simulators are great for bringing all the various automation control topics learned, together in a real-world scenario.
The student, employee, and instructor first use the factory simulator to design the plant layout. Then with the Siemens simulator software connected to the factory simulator software, the user writes the PLC program to make the factory simulation work. Once again, experiential learning. Please click on the link above the screenshots to learn more about this industrial training simulation solution.
It would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to create even some of the configurations with physical training equipment that this simulator bundle can create at a fraction of the cost. The cost per installation for these two is only $165. (No physical equipment is needed. All of the training software is stand-alone, with no hidden cost.)
Because this training simulator bundle utilizes simulator software from multiple vendors, it does not have our standard perpetual site license like the first example above. Instead, it utilizes a Classroom License, which is basically a volume discount. Because of the current situation, classroom licenses are made floating so students and employees can use them at home. For example, 30 floating licenses would be about $100 per learner. The drawback of this floating license methodology is that it uses the cloud. So that means a floating license requires the internet. Using any cloud service means problems when the internet goes down or gets hacked. The individual installation ($165) of any software on your computer is more reliable than a cloud-dependent service for internet dependency and cyber security risk reasons that were given.
Electrical & PLC Troubleshooting Simulator
This example is a course with a troubleshooting simulator built in. Just as the topic of troubleshooting and increasing skills training requires, this course is 80%+ hands-on, and less than 20% scholastic. Most other technical topics are the opposite, with 80% scholastic and 20% application and/or hands-on. Additionally using this simulator has zero safety risk and student wear on equipment. If an option, the physical equipment experience is a plus too. An instructor may choose 20% scholastic, followed by 60% with a simulator/practical application, and end with 20% with physical equipment. Depending on the equipment, topic, and other factors.
Under our licensing options, there is a single user (single learner), for $89 per student. The other user licensing we have is the Unlimited users per facility with the perpetual site license at $890 per facility/campus.
As with all of our courses in the Koldwater series, the troubleshooting trainer course also includes a lab manual built-in, in PDF format as extra material for the instructor. (Single student license also has the lab manual built-in so the individual has some extra study material they can optionally use too.)
Pump Mechanical Training Simulation Animations
In this mechanical simulation example, you will learn there is surprisingly a huge amount that can be taught with a distance learning course download. While for some tasks, the in-person hands-on training with industrial training equipment is essential, like tapping a bearing out, knowing how much pressure to apply, etc. Interactive animations and simulations can greatly reduce the amount of time needed with physical training equipment too. So a viable solution to school closings and not having access to that equipment is to have students/employees work through distance learning courses until they can safely return to school.
Where it wouldn’t be practical on physical equipment, with course interactive animations and simulations, all pump types, disassembly and reassembly, and troubleshooting scenarios can be clearly explained and simulated. Also, as mentioned previously, the learner will get more education while reducing time and therefore safety risks, in working with actual physical training equipment. Please click on the link above the screenshots to learn more about this industrial training simulation solution.
The mechanical training series has slightly different licensing options than the Koldwater series. A single-user (single learner) license, would be equivalent to the single installation, unlimited users for $149 per student/employee/installation. This is the same license a school/company would purchase for each computer in a classroom, for example, allowing unlimited students to use the software on each computer. Optionally, the school may decide to purchase the network version with a 10 roaming license for $1049. If they needed more than 10 users at a time, they might purchase the network site license for unlimited computers/and users. You can view the courses in the Mechanical training series at Mechanical Engineering Courses.
We just want you to know what options are available to provide remote learning, especially if the internet is not available. Our courses and software are used in colleges and school programs such as Career & Technical Education, Industrial Training, Industrial Skills Instruction, and Applied Job Skills Training, around the world.
The Primary Focus of CTE/TVET Programs:
Some fields, such as mechanical, and some occupations like lineman or welding, require in-person, hands-on training with the actual equipment. Other occupational fields are already mostly taught by computer and simulation software, such as computer training, engineering, core education, etc. Many fields are in a grey area in between; requiring a hands-on in the beginning and scholastic in the end, or vice versa. For example, an electrician can use computer-based theory and basics with electrical training simulation software to enhance understanding, and train on best practices through repetition. After the basics, to acquire the skills that require muscle memory for a task, hands-on, in-person experience is required. Like stripping a wire, climbing a power line pole, etc.
We know from recent history, the nation’s schools could be closed for weeks, months, or the rest of the school year. Even after schools are re-opened there may be distancing practices implemented, and physical industrial training equipment may not be adequately or cost-effectively disinfected between each student’s use. Until a global solution, and the all-clear is given, physical industrial training equipment could be obsolete. Schools need to plan ahead for disruptions that may last from 18 months to 3 years. ( We hope for the best, plan for the worst.) Distancing could limit access to the instructor only for demonstration purposes, which isn’t much different than a student watching a video of their instructor teaching with real equipment. A great alternative would be something like the Industrial Electrical Training Video Library, which would allow students access to instructor-based training outside of a classroom setting. Most of the time industrial training simulators give more detail and interactivity than a demonstration by an instructor or a video of it.
Inquiries we (BIN95) are receiving from our customers like the couple examples below are indicating schools and instructors are realizing the above.
“ Due to this global situation, we have moved our electricity class online. I am in search of electrical simulation exercises for online classes.” Jeff (Department Head) — (State) Community College
“ With the unexpected school closings we are experiencing over the next 3 weeks, we are needing to download these site licenses on personal computers … “ Kim (Executive Director) — (City) Tech Academy
As we have been running our business on Lean and Green principles since 1995, providing distance learning solutions, we were able to accommodate the above scenarios for our customers. With over a hundred industrial training products, we can provide educational solutions to help get you, your students, and your employees through obstacles that may appear.
Training Simulation Software previous advantages:
Even before the recent situation, industrial training simulation software had some major advantages over physical industrial training equipment in certain areas. The most notable one is the cost of purchasing and maintaining industrial training equipment over its lifetime can cost up to $30,000 or more. That is a sharp contrast in costs when compared with our industrial training simulator software, with prices ranging between $99 to $1,990. Another advantage of simulation software is safety. You might have heard in the news recently about the girl who died from getting her hair caught in a machine at school. That, and other safety hazards like electrocution, burns, etc., can not occur with training simulation software. Student throughput is another advantage of industrial training simulation software over industrial training equipment. Only one student at a time can work on an industrial trainer station, while you could install training simulation software on 10–20 computers and have that as the student throughput.
The next greatest advantage of software simulators over physical simulators is flexibility. With an industrial trainer, you would get only one configuration, like one circuit, one pump type, etc. But with software simulation, you could have multiple customizable configurations providing more hands-on experience than with just one physical trainer. Another disadvantage to big, bulky training equipment is mobility. In contrast, students could work on an industrial training simulator software at home. Which even works during this recent situation. Your students and employees need to train on the latest technologies, and upgrading physical training equipment can cost as much, if not more than the original purchase.
There are also added advantages if you get your training simulators and training certificate course software from BIN95. Many of the courses we offer also come with instructor materials, like lab manuals, built-in LMS, etc. Most software vendors charge per student/employee and often charge annual fees. With BIN95, you can get many of our training products as unlimited user perpetual site licenses for a one-time low-cost purchase, with no annual fees. Even some of the mechanical course site licenses we offer include animation, interactive breakaways, and even limited simulations built right into the courses. Other times we bundle a separate training simulation software with our certificate course software, so students can get hands-on experience more cost-effectively. Typically our site licenses are restricted for school/company computers at a single campus or facility, but due to the current situation, we are allowing schools the authorization to install certain courses on students’ personal computers at home, so they can continue their studies at home during these troubled times.
Simulation Software vs Physical Training Equipment Summary:
Research shows that 70% of what employees learn comes from experience, 20% is from their social interactions, and 10% is from traditional learning sources. The Simulations provided in our courses and as stand-alone software are tools that emulate the real work environment so that students and employees can identify with it. They provide experiential learning so the learner acquires knowledge faster, and retains it longer because they can experience and apply concepts learned in a realistic, controlled, safe environment.
Do students Need Tablets or Laptops?
Instructors without online learning plans in place may use pre-made downloadable Courses and simulators. Also, no internet is required after installation for the majority of our certificate courses. That feature better prepares you in case the internet is the next infrastructure to buckle after the hospitals. Yes, students will need a windows laptop (about $300), but they will need one anyway if they are to work in an industrial field. Most electricians and industrial maintenance people have them already too, and over 90% of US households have a computer [2017 National Center for
Education Statistics]. It would actually be better for the reasons just mentioned, for both student and school, if planning to get adult students a tablet, get them a laptop instead. It will better help their future employment and increase the quality of education the school system provides.
Plus tablets typically require the internet. With a Windows PC, both schools and students are prepared for the current situation we all live in, and when the internet goes down. With schools, companies, and individuals all needing to use the internet to compensate while working from home, it is not a question of if, but when. A downloadable software you install on a PC results in more productive time and less potential stress from internet issues. Less stress equals healthier students and employees. Even more important is tablets, just like internet bandwidth, can not handle industrial training simulators and other industrial software needed during industrial training. like PLC software, etc.
More Industrial Training Simulator Examples:
TroubleX Electrical Troubleshooting Simulator
One circuit with 26 faults to solve. Designed for instructors as a teaching tool, there are flexible student and fault controls. Because it is so inexpensive, individuals can afford it too. ( Download and installs on all Win OS computer.)
Contructor 15 Design Circuit Simulator
The instructor’s favorite, the Constructor 15 allows them to draw any circuit and then simulate it on the overhead to present to students. Or instructors may use it in the distance learning webcast to reach students abroad. ( Download and install on all Win OS computer.)
PID Tuning eBook with Simulator
We talked about our courses with built-in simulations, here is another approach. A download that has an eBook and other learning material as well as a PID Simulator.
Pneumatic Hydraulic Training Course
This is our hydraulics basics course that uses a lot of animation/simulation to explain the theory and show application, which would otherwise be dry material in other providers’ standard PowerPoint-style courses. Some have referred to this course learning level as a high school level. For maintenance engineering level courses, see Industrial Hydraulics Course.
RSLinx PLC Communications Simulator
Be sure to try the new 2022 online PLC communications simulator game we put in this educational article. We created that simulator/game to gauge how much more time-consuming and costly converting just one of the many simulations in the software version of our courses, to html/javascript (online format).
Originally published at Distance Learning Training Simulators.
