Project-based Laboratory Assignments to Support Digital Transformation of Education in Turkmenistan

Abstract: On 30th of November, 2018, by the Decree of the Esteemed President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedov, there was accepted a Conception of developing digital economy in Turkmenistan in between 2019-2025. Moreover, on 15th of September, 2017, the Conception of developing digital education in Turkmenistan was approved as well. That is why, new, innovative methodologies and digital solutions are continuously being introduced to the educational system of Turkmenistan. Teaching and training undergraduate students, studying in the field of automation and control engineering, is a tough issue. Because, nowadays, for automation engineer, knowing physics, mathematics, theory of automation and electronics is not enough, moreover, they should also know basics of smart systems, if necessary, programming a microcontroller and methods of using necessary sensors when designing smart systems. In this regards, this paper provides useful information about the steps and key points of integrating digital solutions a n d mi c r o c o n t r o l l e r - b a s e d e d u c a t i o n a l methodologies into the undergraduate educational system of Turkmenistan. Moreover, the effect of the proposed method of teaching and appropriateness of the laboratory assignments were also analysed at the end of the course. As a microcontroller board, “Ardunio UNO” was selected as it is easy-to-learn. Keywords: smart systems, engineering courses, “Arduino UNO” board, methodology of achieving course objectives, Bloom's taxonomy