Teaching the plating of surface layers using an E-learning platform

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to present the role of e-learning tools in the process of students teaching within the area of material science, on the base of an e-platform for teaching students the processes of surface layers plating. Nowadays classical teaching tools are replaced with computer tools presenting analyzed processes and structures in a virtual space so the purpose of the work is also to present a form of comparison of these approaches. Design/methodology/approach: The presented results base on the elaboration and investigations of the e-learning program for Polish students helping them to understand the process of surface layers plating. The program has been checked according specific educational requirements of the educational process of a technological university. Findings: Results obtained in the work point the importance of application of an e-learning platform in an educational process of the material science students. Also the methodology of creating such e-learning platforms and their educational estimation are presented. Research limitations/implications: The main limitation is related with the analyzed manufacturing process: surface layers plating. Moreover the subject has been limited to the group of main galvanic layers, as this work is a result of investigations in the area of galvanic layers electroplating. Secondly the project takes into account only the layers that are the most characteristic and are the most spread in the industry for the described electroplating technique. Practical implications: The first practical implication of these researches is the possibility for offering a wider scope of materials on the educational platforms prepared for the new university e-learning system. Secondly, it is possible to use these materials in consultations offered for industrial plants in the system of commercial cooperation of the university. Originality/value: The work presents the original e-learning program for teaching the students of material science. In the process of preparing the program some interesting solutions consider with visualization techniques have been done.