Revving Up Autotronics: Unleashing Content, Technical, and Pedagogical Power Through a Diesel Rotary Injection Pump Mock-Up
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
This study develops and evaluates a diesel rotary injection pump mock-up as a pedagogical innovation to bridge the gap between theoretical instruction and hands-on experience in automotive technology programs. The mock-up simulates key diesel fuel injection functions through manipulable components, addressing resource constraints in laboratories. Employing a descriptive quantitative pre-test–post-test design, 30 BS Autotronics students, 5 teachers from University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP), and 3 automotive experts from Toyota/Isuzu Motors rated its content, technical, and pedagogic quality via a validated 15-item, 5-point Likert scale instrument. Post-test means ranged 4.6–4.8, reflecting strong agreement on accuracy, reliability, safety, and instructional alignment, with minor concerns on usability and sustained engagement. Wilcoxon Signed-Rank tests across all parameters showed W = 0, Z = -5.37 (p < .001), and large effect sizes (r = 0.87), confirming highly significant, unanimous positive shifts in perceptions with substantial practical impact. These findings validate the mock-up as a cost-effective tool enhancing autotronics education, better preparing students for industry diesel maintenance while highlighting areas for usability refinement.
Downloads
References
Ahire, V., Shewale, M., & Razban, A. (2021). A Review of the State-of-the-Art Emission Control Strategies in Modern Diesel Engines. Archives of Computational Methods in Engineering, 28(7).
Al Abri, M. H., Al Aamri, A. Y., & Elhaj, A. M. A. (2024). Enhancing student learning experiences through integrated constructivist pedagogical models. European Journal of Contemporary Education and E-Learning, 2(1), 130-149.
Dahlan, J. A., & Wibisono, Y. (2021). The Effect of Hands-On and Computer-Based Learning Activities on Conceptual Understanding and Mathematical Reasoning. International Journal of Instruction, 14(1), 143-160.
Díaz Palencia, J. L. (2025). Integrating challenge-based learning and design thinking in a course of reaction engines for aerospace. International Journal of Mechanical Engineering Education, 53(3), 581-596.
Elkelawy, M., Draz, A. M., Seleem, H. E., & Hamouda, M. A. (2025). Performance Characteristics of Diesel Engine Power Plants: Efficiency, Emissions, and Operational Flexibility. Pharos Engineering Science Journal, 2(1), 1-11.
Etukudoh, E. A., Usman, F. O., Ilojianya, V. I., Daudu, C. D., Umoh, A. A., & Ibekwe, K. I. (2024). Mechanical engineering in automotive innovation: A review of electric vehicles and future trends. International Journal of Science and Research Archive, 11(1), 579-589.
Gerald Liu, Z., & Munnannur, A. (2019). Future diesel engines. In Design and development of heavy duty diesel engines: A handbook (pp. 887-914). Singapore: Springer Singapore.
Koten, H. (Ed.). (2024). Diesel Engines-Current Challenges and Future Perspectives: Current Challenges and Future Perspectives. BoD–Books on Demand.
Laid, S. M. T., & Adlaon, M. S. (2025). A Systematic Review of Innovative Teaching Strategies in Science: Exploring Hands-on Learning, Technology Integration, and Student-Centered Approaches. Acta Pedagogia Asiana, 4(2), 101-114.
Matriano, E. A. (2020). Ensuring Student-Centered, Constructivist and Project-Based Experiential Learning Applying the Exploration, Research, Interaction and Creation (ERIC) Learning Model. International Online Journal of Education and Teaching, 7(1), 214-227.
McCormick, M. R., & Wuest, T. (2023, September). Challenges for smart manufacturing and industry 4.0 research in academia: A case study. In IFIP International Conference on Advances in Production Management Systems (pp. 418-432). Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland.
Padilha, M. H. (2023). Enabling fuel system component placement on the basis of geometric and certification requirements within a semantic knowledge-based engineering framework
Peavey, E. K., Zoss, J., & Watkins, N. (2012). Simulation and mock-up research methods to enhance design decision making. HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal, 5(3), 133-144.
Ponce, P., Polasko, K., & Molina, A. (2021). Open innovation laboratory in electrical energy education based on the knowledge economy. The International Journal of Electrical Engineering & Education, 58(3), 667-700.
Porter, J. M. (2018). Navigating Uncertainty in Automotive Technology Instruction: The Subjective Experiences of Automotive Instructors During Laboratory Activities (Doctoral dissertation, Antioch University).
Ramdi, O. D. (2020). Development of Automotive Engine Electrical Systems Trainer for Automotive Technology Students. DEVELOPMENT, 2(12).
Savin, S. (2007). Autotronics: Implications for automotive related training programs standards based upon emerging technologies. Oregon State University.
Schiuma, G., & Santarsiero, F. (2024). Open Innovation Labs. Cham, Switzerland: Springer.
Soneral, P. A., & Wyse, S. A. (2017). A SCALE-UP mock-up: Comparison of student learning gains in high-and low-tech active-learning environments. CBE—Life Sciences Education, 16(1), ar12.
Stam, B. (2011). The Power of Real-World Application. Leadership, 40(3), 12-15.
Wafudu, S. J., & Bin Kamin, Y. (2024). Quality assurance: a conceptual framework for teaching and learning standards in vocational and technical education programs. Quality Assurance in Education, 32(2), 213-231.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
All articles published in our journal are licensed under CC-BY 4.0, which permits authors to retain copyright of their work. This license allows for unrestricted use, sharing, and reproduction of the articles, provided that proper credit is given to the original authors and the source.