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Weblabs are an additional resource in the execution of experiments in control engineering education, making learning process more flexible both in time, by allowing extra class laboratory activities, and space, bringing the learning experience to remote locations where experimentation facilities would not be available. The purpose of this paper is to investigate and report on a weblab project where the speed of a DC motor is controlled in closed loop, being the control system parameters set by the remote user (student).

The engine control experiments are run and on‐line transmitted by videoconference over the internet, from a didactical plant physically located at the Systems and Automation Laboratory of the Control and Automation Engineering department of the Pontifical Catholic University of Parana. The system response (transient motor speed) to the user's choice of parameters is evaluated through performance indices (IAE, ITAE), which are used to qualify the ability of the student to tune PID and RTS control algorithms. There is an option to run experiments in open loop, so the student can perform preliminary analysis to identify the system dynamic model and then apply mathematical models and computational methods, learned in theoretical classes, to define best performance control parameters. A simulation function was implemented, to further help the student in the problem solution. Virtual instrumentation resources were used to implement the Weblab, using the DC motor of a laboratory didactical plant. A local server runs a LabVIEWTM application, which can be remotely accessed in the client side through a web browser, where the system front panel is reproduced. This remote interface is directly originated at the LabVIEWTM application, through an embedded web server. At the user request, the control of the remote system is granted. The user interface is cognitive, with motor speed, control signal, set point and all the pertinent information displayed in evolving charts and indicators. Microsoft™ Skype is used to establish a videoconference with the laboratory where the plant is located. Results of the user experiments are stored in local files, which can be e‐mailed to the user at his command by the end of the session.

Used as a platform in weblab projects, LabVIEW combined with Skype provides a suitable solution for the necessary software/hardware integration for communications with data acquisition systems and advanced connectivity resources. In virtual instrumentation Skype has proved to be efficient in establishing the right environment without the need for developing complex software for teaching practical control engineering concepts.

The level of performance (speed of acquisition, accuracy and number of parameters that could be evaluated) of the current system would need to be evaluated compared to some existing systems. The implication is the changes brought to the adopted approach to the development of, access to and the overall cost of producing virtual laboratory systems used for science, engineering and technology education.

With further effort, the current and similar systems could be further upgraded with user login control and server, so that results can be submitted to the tutor, thus acting as a learning evaluation instrument.

The originality of this research lies in the innovative integration of technology in education, which involves the implementation of a carefully designed, cost‐effective virtual laboratory for teaching and learning of concepts in control engineering.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the evolving ways library users engaged with services and resources and how library services adapted to meet their needs, in order to improve practice post-pandemic.

During Fall 2020 and Spring 2021, nine studies were conducted which examined the usage of space, services and resources; and employee and student perspectives. Findings from these studies were synthesized for this investigation through a process of qualitative meta-synthesis.

The themes from this meta-synthesis point to an ongoing need for streamlining services and processes, to improve efficiency as well as enable the Libraries to be prepared for the next crisis.

While change takes time for large organizations, the existence of system-wide processes and services enabled library employees to continue assisting users across all Penn State campuses, demonstrating that the University Libraries could be considered a model for the “One Penn State” vision that the university strives to achieve by 2025.

The introduction of genetically modified foods (GMF) in consumer markets worldwide is currently a hot topic for debate. Media hype and the strong position against GMF by activist groups have contributed to the negative image of GMF, often labelled as “Frankenstein” foods. Given this negative image, the purpose of this study is to find out if consumers display more positive perceptions about GMF if positive trade‐offs are made more salient in the purchase decision process. This study examined the impact of additional product benefits on consumer attitudes towards GMF. A sample of 120 consumers was randomly assigned to a (2*2) factorial design manipulating two levels of genetic modification and two levels of additional product benefits. Results indicate that genetic modification in food products has a negative impact on attitudes. More importantly, the presence of additional product benefits resulting from GMF was not enough to offset this negative view. Reasons for such results are discussed, conclusions for the industry and regulatory bodies drawn and implications for future research given.

The objective of this study is to identify research gaps related to skills required for Industry 4.0, considering research in the context of Brazilian undergraduate courses. In this sense, the question of this study was established: What are the educational gaps related to skills required in Industry 4.0 context, considering considering research in the previously mentioned?

To answer this question, the ten top work-related skills required for professionals in Industry 4.0 published by the World Economic Forum were used to perform a systematic literature review. From this review, 100 articles were found in the searched databases. From them, 18 were within the research scope.

Through an analysis of their content, it was possible to verify that, from the 10 skills analyzed, only six were identified in the articles. That is, no research was found for: people management, service orientation, negotiation, and cognitive flexibility. Additionally, there are undergraduate courses that are not considered in current researches and should be analyzed.

The gaps pointed out in this study are relevant to guide future analyzes of the Brazilian educational model and may provide insights for research in other countries.

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the use of virtual learning environments in multicultural higher education of two different subjects: foreign language and marketing.

The paper describes the aims, development and results of an interdisciplinary collaboration project was held between two European universities through a webCT system, where students had to work on linguistic aspects and economic and management topics.

Univariate analysis shows students to have a great interest in the project. Different multivariate techniques determine a strong positive relationship between students' participation, implication and motivation in the project and their individual final grades in the course. Regression also proved that the more exciting and challenging the class activities, and the higher the student's active participation, the better the results obtained by the student.

Even if it is an exploratory research that should be replicated in other contexts, both the qualitative and quantitative results seem to confirm the positive contribution of this interdisciplinary e‐learning activity to the multicultural teaching‐learning process.

Results support the positive influence of interdisciplinary activities in the students' performance and the use of learning methods that facilitate active and cooperative learning through audiovisual pedagogical resources in multicultural contexts.