DefinePK

Research Objective

To systematically analyze and synthesize the application of Digital Twins (DTs) in engineering education within academic settings over the past decade, mapping trends, identifying common practices, and highlighting innovative uses.

Methodology

A comprehensive literature review was conducted, analyzing 83 research papers published between 2012 and 2022. Keywords used included "digital twin engineering education," "digital twin university education," and "digital twin academia." Search engines such as ScienceDirect, SCOPUS, EBSCO, Google Scholar, and Web of Science were utilized. Papers purely applied in engineering education were selected.

Methodology Flowchart

                        graph TD
    A[Define Research Objective] --> B[Conduct Literature Search];
    B --> C[Screen and Select Papers];
    C --> D[Analyze Selected Papers];
    D --> E[Synthesize Findings];
    E --> F[Formulate Discussion and Conclusion];
    F --> G[Generate Output];                    

Discussion

Digital twins are a central component of Industry 4.0, acting as virtual representations of physical objects or processes for simulation and testing. They are increasingly used in education to improve lab effectiveness, classroom environments, and learning experiences, especially in resource-poor situations or for remote access. DTs facilitate a more comprehensive and efficient educational process, enabling students to engage with virtual models, investigate problems, and analyze system efficiency. They also enhance industrial competitiveness through predictive maintenance and fault diagnosis. While DTs offer numerous benefits, challenges such as model accuracy, data transfer, and IT infrastructure requirements need to be addressed.

Key Findings

- Digital twin technology offers students an interactive experience with virtual models, enhancing engineering education effectiveness.
- It improves industrial competitiveness through predictive maintenance and fault diagnosis.
- Digital twins can be used across various engineering disciplines and for personalized learning.
- A significant surge in interest and development in this area was observed, with almost all publications appearing after 2018.
- The majority of publications analyzed were from 2022.

Conclusion

Digital twin technology has the potential to significantly improve student learning outcomes, increase education accessibility and cost-effectiveness, and enhance production systems' safety, visibility, and accessibility. Its application in engineering education is growing, offering interactive, engaging, and effective learning experiences, though challenges related to resources, learning curves, and integration need careful consideration.

Fact Check

- A total of 83 research papers were analyzed, spanning the last decade from 2012 to 2022.
- Almost all publications were reported after the year 2018.
- Thirty-one publications were reported in 2022, the highest number among the analyzed years.

Mind Map