Web-Based Laboratories: Technical and
Pedagogical Considerations
Jim Henry, Ph.D., P.E.College of Engineering and Computer ScienceUniversity of Tennessee at Chattanooga AIChE, 2001 Reno, NV
Chattanooga, Tennessee
What are "Web-Based Laboratories"?
Lab experimentsoffered via the WEB
WHY ?Accommodates Scheduling ProblemsCan serve equipment-challenged campusesIt's all the go to get on the WebWe enjoy doing this stuff
What are “Technical Considerations”?
How is it doneAvailable stationsMore reliabilityMore experimentsMore accessibilityEase of use
What are "Pedagogical Considerations "?
Student support offered via the WEB
Outcomes and AssessmentTeaching and Learning expansionTeam mailing listsDiscussion ForumsFAQIntelligent Agent responder
Good News- Bad News
Hardwareexperiments
It works
It's reliable
Managing "distant" students
The Connections
WWW basedNetscape or Internet ExplorerFamiliar & accessible & friendly
Direct via Internet Custom LabVIEW programsOther software to use MATLAB, e.g.
WWW Protocol
INTERNET . . . . .
DocumentServer
LabSERVER
LabCLIENTs
File Sharing
SYSTEMCONTROL
Set Point
Output
-+
Classical Control Systems
USER
(client)
SYSTEMCONTROL
Set Point
Output
-+
Laboratory Remote Operation
LAB SYSTEM
(server)
Controls Laboratory Equipment Details
7 - Stations All S.I.S.O., “Stable”
Pressure LevelVoltage SpeedFlow TemperaturePosition
Pressure
Temperature
Flow
Level, 2-tanks
Speed and Voltage
Ch E Laboratory Equipment Details
10 - Stations Distillation FilterAbsorber DehumidifierHeat Pump Drying OvenCombustion Heat ExchangerCooling Tower Pressure Swing Absorption
Distillation
Pressure Swing Absorption
Laboratory Experiment Details
System IdentificationSteady-State StepRamp SinePulse "Custom"
Feedback Control Proportional w/ biasProportional Integral
Step InputResults
Input = 50%, t < 5 sec Input = 90%, t > 5 sec
40K
to
Step InputResults
40K
to
• h
Step InputResults
Step InputResults
Input = 50%, t < 5 sec Input = 90%, t > 5 sec
40K
to
Step InputResults
40K
to
Step InputResults
40K
to
Step InputResults
40K
to
Step InputResults
40K
to
to
•Diponegoro University, Indonesia
•University of Koeln, Germany
Direct Connection
INTERNET . . . . .
YourComputer
LabCLIENTs
TCP/IP
SYSTEMCONTROL
Set Point
Output
-+
Direct Connection
Custom Software SERVER
Input Data
Output
Data
•May-June, 2001
Web Sites
chem.engr.utc.edu
link to this paper:
chem.engr.utc.edu/AIChE
Web Sites
chem.engr.utc.edu
link to this talk & paper:
chem.engr.utc.edu/AIChE
Pedagogy-Student responses
•We can pick the time to meet to run the labs instead of being required to be here for a set class time
•The ability to perform experiments from remote locations
Pedagogy-Student responses
•You can run experiments during class time or at 3AM as well as turn in your reports at any time over the web I liked the freedom of the lab
•It worked out well being able to work at different times
Pedagogy-Student responses
•This was a new experience. Especially running the experiments on the Web, and sending the assignments by e-mail
•Web access learning is very important these days, when a lot of information is available and e-mail is taking the place of traditional phone calling and letter writing.
Pedagogy-Student support
•Educational Materials for Remote Laboratory Operation
•descriptions of the equipment
•examples of experiments
•procedures for conducting the experiments
•sample topics
Pedagogy-Student support
•expert system – LISA
•Laboratory Instruction Student Aide
•(a laboratory assistant bot)
Pedagogy-Student activities
•Problem-oriented activities that are open-ended, and multi- or interdisciplinary
•Visual formats that allow creation of mental models
•A rich learning environment containing a variety of interactive resources
Pedagogy-Student activities
•Cooperative group work, emphasizing shared intelligence
•Learning through exploration and discovery
•Authentic assessment, emphasizing the qualitative nature of student work
Vision & Plans
Dissemination opportunities
www.RealLabs.net
-- New systems -- Renovated and Updated systems
Acknowledgements
Tennessee TaxpayersNational Science FoundationUTC's Center for Excellence in Computer ApplicationsNational InstrumentsMicrosoft CorporationCreative Engineering Laboratory SystemsLupton Renaissance Fund