Search

Probability and random processes is considered by students to be conceptually one of the most difficult subjects in the undergraduate electrical and computer engineering curriculum. There are numerous reasons for this difficulty encountered by the students. First off, humans are not innately good at probabilistic intuition. Traditionally, this subject has been introduced in a very abstract manner without emphasis on real-world applications from electrical and computer engineering discipline. In addition, extensive use of interactive simulation and visualization tools, offering an alternative way of developing probabilistic intuition, is usually missing from traditional course offerings. This paper presents a unique pedagogical approach to teaching an introductory probability course offered to electrical and computer engineering juniors. The salient features of the proposed pedagogical approach include more emphasis on real-world electrical and computer engineering problems that show the applications of abstract probabilistic concepts; extensive hands-on and interactive MATLAB® simulations of real-world electrical and computer engineering problems that are tightly integrated into the curriculum; highlighting the frequentist approach to build probabilistic intuition using simulations; concrete examples showing how naive probabilistic intuition can be erroneous and how to develop correct probabilistic intuition based on systematically modeling, simulating, and analyzing a problem; and application-based simulations driving the abstract theory rather than the other way around. This pedagogical approach was implemented in a course offered to electrical and computer engineering undergraduates at Purdue University Northwest. The paper presents a concrete example illustrating how the salient features of the proposed pedagogical approach were implemented as part of this course and student data from the courses to validate the efficacy of the proposed approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laboratory experiments offer one way to introduce more realism in education and play a key role for the acquisition of practical skills, especially in engineering. This paper addresses the development of an equipment to teach fundamentals of industrial process control engineering mainly for undergraduate courses at the University of Extremadura. The laboratory consists of the DELTALAB–COSIMI wastewater treatment plant SP244, which is controlled by a CompactRIO-9014 high-performance real-time embedded controller, a kind of programmable logic controller of National Instruments. Learning objectives and a summary of students activities carried out in the laboratory lessons are given to illustrate the possibilities of use of this equipment for teaching of industrial process control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Implementation of a complex circuit with hardware components in a conventional way seems to be quite difficult for the students. Resultant wave-shapes may not be accurate and determined values of different parameters may not be exact. Due to inaccurate outcomes and time-consuming process in a conventional way, researchers despond to continue their approach. In this paper, a trainer kit has been developed which is just like a laboratory with necessary components and aims to implement multivibrators (Bistable, Monostable, and Astable) and RC phase shift oscillators in the laboratory. A variable power supply is constructed in the trainer kit that provides 9 V dc to the multivibrators and 15 V dc to the oscillator. Potentiometer, voltage regulator, different active and passive components such as resistors, capacitor, op-amp, transistor, and numerous jumper wires are introduced in this kit. The trainer kit ascertains an easy implementation by eliminating complexity and assures accurate wave-shapes at the oscilloscope within a short time. To validate the proposed system, a survey program has been introduced among many students and faculty members. The outcome of the survey is the demonstration of student and instructor views and opinions which acknowledges the trainer kit as an efficient and compatible working platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an information application, which utilizes undergraduate project-based learning curriculum for continuous improvement year by year. The project work curriculum of the undergraduates in engineering college fully complies with the concept and spirit of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. They practice all the learning in campus to analyze, plan, and solve the problems they meet in their projects. With the progression, the adviser/mentor of the projects should give them some suggestions timely to find out the right direction. This paper proposed an ubiquitous information application to support the integrative science, technology, engineering, and mathematics project-based learning curriculum for continuous improvement. Finally, we have also successfully implemented and applied this application in Shih-Chien University Kaohsiung Campus, Taiwan since 2012. It helps 11 teachers and 772 undergraduates cooperate 258 project works for 11 years (iterations) for continuous improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Virtual laboratories have been demonstrated to contribute successfully to the theoretical understanding of many important systems theory and automatic control concepts in engineering education. This paper describes the pilot experience on the use of such laboratories as learning tools in introductory systems theory courses at the University of Extremadura during the academic year 2015/2016. The purpose of the present paper is to offer some objective academic evidence for the effectiveness of the use of virtual laboratories to improve learning in laboratory lessons in engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internet of things is emerging in the recent years and is changing many traditional industries in the recent years. Engineering students of several knowledge areas may benefit with the introduction of internet of things concepts in the undergraduate courses, since there is an increasingly need of professionals to work in multidisciplinary teams. This paper proposes an undergraduate course to teach internet of things concepts for engineering students using cooperative problem-based learning (CPBL). The students have to develop a project using different internet of things technologies: sensing and actuation, embedded computing, communication and networking, cloud computing, and data analytics. The proposed course may help students to improve not only their technical skills but also soft skills, such as teamwork, communication and creativity. The developed projects achieved good results, and positive feedback was received from the students. Students from engineering courses related to internet of things had a better performance than students of no internet of things-related courses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a five-semester experience regarding the use of a real Internet-scale environment for testing protocols and services under realistic conditions. The paper discusses the convenience of using such real environments over other alternatives, i.e. emulated or simulated environments. Since most currently published work focuses primarily on technical specifi cations of academic testing environments, the paper also argues for the need to carry out studies which analyse students' opinions, performance, and behaviours while using these environments. Accordingly, an exhaustive survey analysis is included. This first analysis is complemented with a second one regarding the way students interact with the system. From both studies, several conclusions and recommendations are derived. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Engineers today are required both to have a mastery of 'traditional' technological skills and to be competent with a variety of 'soft skills' such as teamworking and the ability to present or sell their ideas. At the same time the technological skill requirements are broader. There is a gradual shift from knowledge of specialist fields, to engineers with a fluency in system integration and embedded system design. This paper describes the development of an undergraduate module in embedded systems design. The learning approach taken is that of a cooperative, enquiry-based project to build a small robot. This allows both technical skills and soft skills to be developed in a supportive environment. The student team is required to plan the design and construction of hardware and software for a unit built around an inexpensive commercial microcontroller. This paper describes the module design rationale, the structure given to the students, their performance and evaluates the educational results of what was a well-received learning activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a new Schemebuilder library developed for educational usage. Each component in the library has a simple model based on standard Bond Graph definitions, and Schemebuilder provides a higher level of interaction in which to use these models. The paper begins with a general overview of the Schemebuilder tool; a cross-domain example is then presented, followed by a discussion of the potential of Schemebuilder in teaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes a case study-based approach used to teach baccalaureate degree electro-mechanical engineering technology students. Instructional model based on engineering case studies; Examples of such case studies used in the courses.

The technological world has witnessed many revolutions since the beginning of the 21st century, such as mobile development, cloud computing, big data, artificial intelligence and also the Internet of Things. The internet of things revolution is driven by a broader access to internet and versatility of programmable hardware devices that can communicate between each other. In order to make internet of things devices, a technical background is required in many fields, especially electronics and Computer Science. Therefore, many efforts are put in place to develop educational kits that simplify the basics of these two fields so that everyone can make his internet of things prototype without technical knowledge. The authors present their own initiative: IOIOAI that simplifies the programming process for the input output input output electrical board. The service has been tested successfully on children and young students. In this paper, the authors present a wider adoption for their initiative. The IOIOAI service is imple- mented in introductory course to embedded systems for electrical and computer science students during the 2016-2017 academic year in the National Engineering School of Sfax, Tunisia. The efficiency of the solution is analyzed based on the students' marks and feedback. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an evaluation of a problem-based learning methodology versus a more traditional laboratory-based approach to teaching tutorials for electronics modules in undergraduate engineering classes at the University of Limerick, Ireland. First-hand qualitative and quantitative comparative feedback from students is assessed for the same module across successive cohorts using both learning pedagogies. The analysis suggests that a problem-based learning methodology offers significant benefits in an electronic engineering setting when compared with a more traditional didactic method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contribution of teaching-assistant students to the planning and realisation of a new laboratory experiment of an automation engineering course is presented and a number of insights into the benefits of this approach for achieving excellence in undergraduate curricula are discussed in this paper. Due to its multidisciplinary characteristics, like the opportunity to integrate the knowledge acquired at different courses and to further develop communication and teamwork skills, this was thought to be a high-level laboratory activity. The experiment carried out consists of a Micrologix programmable logic controller-based system for the data acquisition of a Sharp light-emitting diode distance sensor, supported by a supervising control system, developed by the students in a free version of Elipse software. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the study is to introduce the use of a computer-aided designed high-voltage cell for teaching electrical insulation. The cell allows students to make real applications in high voltage (HV) topics taught in a single-semester course for senior undergraduate students. The system is constituted of two main parts. The first part is a metal cell which consists of a 220 V/0–100 kV HV transformer, a variable transformer driven by an a.c. motor and a motor driver. The second part is a hand-made electrode system made of tempered glass. The system was controlled manually or automatically using a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), an operation panel and a computer. In experiments, polyester films are used at various thicknesses as a solid insulation, and transformer oil is also used as a liquid insulation. Each student measures the breakdown voltages under various conditions for solid and liquid insulation using this system. Dielectric strength and ageing of the insulation were determined by computing the mean of the data obtained by each group of students from the experiments. The results and educational benefits are also presented in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes an efficient educational tool for evaluating the transient stability of multi-machine electric power systems with possible future extensions to control (stabilisation). It uses the Single Machine Equivalent (SIME) transient stability method combined with SIMULINK to model transient stability phenomena, and the GUIDE (Graphical User Interface Design Environment) software of MATLAB. The resulting package validates the data and simulates the results by executing the SIMULINK model in the background in a user-transparent manner. It also provides the user with an extremely flexible tool, which enables him or her to enter, modify, and/or add on complexity to the existing model, thanks to the powerful hierarchical structure of SIMULINK. Considering the popularity and availability of MATLAB at the university level, this package should prove useful for pedagogical and research purposes, while at the same time having the look and feel of commercial packages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, there has been a great interest in the integration of distributed generation units at the distribution level. This requires new analytical tools for understanding system performance. This paper presents a simple methodology for placing a distributed generator with a view to increasing the loadability of the distribution system. The effectiveness of the proposed placement technique is demonstrated in a test distribution system that consists of 30 nodes and 32 segments. Other technical benefits of the distributed generator at that location and other locations are also studied and compared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The focus of the paper is on implementation of a core undergraduate course offered to non-electrical engineering students. The course provides a foundation and an avenue for physical system modelling and applying a system approach to problem solving. It is a prerequisite course for the automatic control course offered in the seventh semester. The logical sequence of the course follows the flow of data from sensing element, transduction, signal conditioning and digital conversion. Several specially tailored experiments are designed to motivate students and inculcate professional attitudes. Based on students' questionnaires, they are more interested in laboratory work, and in using problem solving skills, than in theories and analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces TAGS (Transducer Automata Graphical Simulator), a software tool for teaching different aspects of transducer automata theory, a theoretical topic which underlies many aspects of the design of sequential digital circuits. TAGS allows simulation of both Moore and Mealy transducer automata, integrating different theoretical concepts associated with them. The student can define an arbitrary transducer automaton in an interactive way, being able to simulate and trace its behavior by means of different 'views'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the Student Apprenticeship in Engineering, a programme which enables young people in full-time pre-16 education to undertake structured work-related learning at an approved training centre. Its aim is to provide students with the knowledge, skills and competences necessary to enter a career in the engineering sector and to give them the confidence to make informed choices regarding their chosen occupation and future employment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on the progress of a project conducted at the University of Glasgow to investigate the benefits of Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) as teaching, learning and formative assessment tools and the practicalities of deploying PDAs and assessing their use. Students from both electronics and electrical engineering degree courses and from summer schools were involved. Benefits included an increase in off-campus learning opportunities, in collaborative learning and in engagement with the course material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite a world-wide interest in mechatronics education, there is no clear and consistent understanding of what mechatronics is, nor how, and at what level, it should be taught. The key challenge for mechatronics course designers is seen as that of ensuring an appropriate balance between depth and breadth while providing opportunities to enable students to practise integration. The paper discusses this in relation to a number of mechatronic themes. Factors influencing the design, structure and content of a mechatronics programme are discussed and suggestions made as to the possible core content of such a programme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design and analysis of Proportional+ Integral+ Derivative type controllers based upon both classical and modern control methods presents many challenges to the practising and student control engineer. This paper addresses the problem by proposing the concept of the controller-surface as an intuitive visual aid to controller design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper describes the utility of a low cost, 1 m2 by 2 m forced ventilation, micro-climate test chamber, for the support of research and teaching in mechatronics. Initially developed for the evaluation of a new ventilation rate controller, the fully instrumented chamber now provides numerous learning opportunities and individual projects for both undergraduate and postgraduate research students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the complexity of automotive vehicles increases, so does the need for high calibre, multi-disciplined engineers. This paper provides a discussion into the type of control systems found in modern automotive vehicles and the skills required by the engineers working in this mechatronic system environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional dynamic modelling of multidisciplinary systems involves separate sets of analysis skills for each domain. Bond Graphs embrace commonality, providing a concise unified means of system representation and a systematic analysis method. This paper introduces Bond Graphs, benefits of acausal component models, and software for automated equation generation and simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of random variables and the application of probabilistic techniques for power system analysis has become an important issue due to the increased uncertainties faced by modern power systems. In the techno-economic analysis of an installation, especially at the design stage, several discrete values have to be considered for each variable, such as voltage, power, power angle, etc. Therefore, in handling such problems, it is advisable to use random variable ranges as explained in the paper taking the area of power transmission engineering as an example. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with the optimum power transfer to a load under constraints using a mathematical simulation model. The algorithm is given in flowchart form to aid the educational process. A numerical example is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper compares the shunt capacitor, SVC and STATCOM in static voltage stability improvement. Various performance measures are compared under different operating system conditions for the IEEE 14 bus test system. Important issues related to shunt compensation, namely sizing and installation location, for exclusive load margin improvement are addressed. A methodology is also proposed to alleviate voltage control problems due to shunt capacitor compensation during lightly and heavily loaded conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on the implementation of a required course on electronic instrumentation for informatics engineering students. These students had proved in previous years to require a special approach, as their motivation for this subject was low. The course focuses on the basic concepts of Electronic Instrumentation, including analogue-to-digital and digital-to-analogue conversion and introducing the concept of instrument control. The course was organised in a set of lectures coupled with laboratory experiments, and a small project. To foster collaborative learning all the students work on the same laboratory experiments, simultaneously, organised in groups of two. The students'feedback on the course was more positive than in previous years, although not substantially so in terms of results. We feel that a change of attitude took place effectively, and that this could be attributed to the laboratory experiments using LabVIEW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a snapshot of the findings from the National Survey (1999) into CAA activity in higher education and gives an overview of the usage of CAA in the engineering sector. It offers an insight into the ways in which technology and objective tests can be used to assess a range of learning outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most science-based courses include practical experimental activity in the laboratory. Many academics and authoritative bodies would claim that a significant level of such activity is essential to the formation of technologists. This paper reviews the literature on laboratory practice. It also reports on an internal survey of staff and student perceptions of the practical work and its value in their courses in the School of Engineering at the Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen. It discusses the degree to which practices both within and outwith the School appear to match the declared aims of participants. It concludes by suggesting some strategies, which may lead to laboratory work becoming more effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enhances the provisions of learning support material and improve access to Intranet-hosted information, in particular locally produced Learning resources, Student and Staff Information. Technical and philosophical aspects of building an Intranet for the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering at the University of Leeds; Two categories of information for setting up the Intranet.

Examines the development of a digital engineering curriculum in Great Britain. Integration of electronic design automation tools and multimedia courseware into the syllabus; Advantages of integrating computer-based teaching with conventional lecture-based material; Description of the integrated software.