A MATLAB-Based Virtual Laboratory for Teaching Introductory Quasi-Stationary Electromagnetics

Abstract

This paper reports the realization of a MATLAB- based electromagnetic-fields virtual laboratory, and experimen- tation in the teaching of undergraduate Introductory Electro- magnetics courses. The choice of the developing environment is discussed in the light of authoring issues and user advantages. The virtual laboratory is described in terms of its functionalities, and a selection of examples is illustrated, showing its actual didactic use. The software architecture produced, including the Web interface, is briefly described and the possible extensions or different uses of the environment realized discussed. The positive response from students in a two-year classroom experience is reported, and future developments are outlined

Electronic problem based learning of electromagnetics through software development

“…Virtual laboratories were also developed [25,26]. More recently, web-based teaching material emerged in the form of electronic textbooks [5,27] with video [28], design tools [29] and virtual laboratories [30]. It is interesting to note in References [5,27,30] the proposed plurality of forms of delivery of information: video, images, text, solvers.…”

Web-Based Scalable Intelligent Multimedia Virtual Laboratory for Power Engineering

“…Prior research on simulation environments for electrical machines can be broadly classified into three categories: a) A Matlab/Simulink based simulation environment [6,7,8]. The advantage of this approach is students' prior experience with Matllab/Simulink and the availability of the mathematical tools and graphical interface offered by these programs.…”

“…c) A web based virtual machine laboratory. In [12] and [6] the authors have represented their works to extend their Matlab based simulation designs to web based approaches. Some other ideas were proposed by [13] to build an Adobe Flash based virtual environment and were hosted through internet.…”

“…The inner-working principles of a DC machine can be better explained through 2D and 3D animations within a virtual laboratory rather than by observation in a physical laboratory. There are several virtual laboratory environments which individually provide learning material about electrical machines and provide e-learning tools using 2D and 3D graphical models [5], but only a few that attempts to integrate both [6].…”

Board # 51 : WIP: Introducing MATLAB-based Instruction and Learning in the Creativity Thread of a Novel Integrated Approach to ECE Education

“…Also, when computer software is used, MATLAB is not always the program of choice. Finally, when MATLAB has been chosen, the instructors most often have created a GUI 9,10 or some similar interface which the students interact with as opposed to creating their own program. As we note in the following section, this is not as conducive to student learning.…”