Transcript ASEE-2005-remote-labs-b

Role of Remote Laboratories
Jim Henry, Ph.D., P.E.
Charles Knight, Ph.D., P.E.
College of Engineering and Computer Science
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Conclusions
• Remote experiments can be used to
enhance the learning experience
• Some limitations and disadvantages
• Hands-on experimental demonstrations
are beneficial to students
Recommendations
• Augmentation of laboratory experiences
• Class demonstrations
• Richness of transient behavior
• Additional student opportunities for
learning or review
Web Site
.
. .
http://chem engr utc edu/Labs
Web Site
Web Site
Distillation Station
Level Control Station
Voltage Control Station
Web Site
Flow Control Station
Speed Control Station
Voltage Control Station
Example Remote Use Experience
Distant Site  UT-Chattanooga
Example Remote Use Experience
Distant Site  UT-Chattanooga
•Washington State Univ
•Pitt
•Technische Institute Köln
•Diponegoro Univ
•Tech Univ Sydney
•Univ of So Carolina
•Univ of Edinburgh
Describe something you like about
operating experiments remotely-
• “They allowed me to understand
concepts as they are applied.”
• “It is impressive to thing that such a
small operation results in a change in
a large system quite some distance
away.”
• “It is interesting to be able to control
something miles away with a
computer.”
Describe something you like about
operating experiments remotely-
• “Shows how the math relates to reallife problems.”
• “It was interesting to see different
schools using
the
same
heat
>$1000/sq ft lab space
exchanger.”
• “It did not take all day to complete.”
• “Our school does not have to buy it,
keeps tuition low.”
• “Not limited to only what our school
has.”
Describe some disadvantages of
operating experiments remotely-
• “The experiments were sometimes
interrupted by malfunction in the
(same is true of simulations. –Henry)
computer system.”
• “You don’t see the actual results of the
input. It would be nice to see the
system we are working with.”
• “Cannot see the experiment.”
Describe some disadvantages of
operating experiments remotely-
• “Harder to understand because cannot
see physical experiment.”
• “Not hands on, just collecting data.”
• “Can’t see the process, can’t see
valves / tanks.”
Roles of Remote Laboratories
•See JEE, January 2005
Experimentation -Design -•Lyle Feisel
Data analysis -Creativity -•Role of Laboratory…
Communication -Models -Instrumentation -Learn from failure -•Frank Mayadas
Communication
-Safety -•Online--Engineering
Education
Teamwork
Ethics
-Psychomotor -Sensory awareness --
Web Site
.
. .
http://chem engr utc edu/Labs
Collaborative Research Opportunity
•Local Experiments
+ “Hands on”
•Modeling
& Simulation
Roles of Remote
Laboratories
+ Watchable
in small
groups
+ Time
Freedom
•Remote
Experiments
+ Location Freedom
+ Multi sensory
+ Time Freedom
Computer mediated sensation
± Control
Panel UI ±Freedom
+ Location
•Local
Experiments
MATLAB UI
+ Known
rate ± mediated
± data
Computer
sensation
UI
- Time Constrained
± Simulink ±UISimulink
•Modeling & Simulation
± Control Station
UI
- Location
Constrained
± Control
Station-like
UI
± Excel
UI
- Personnel
Constrained
+ Watchable
in disperse
groups
•Remote
Experiments
+ Known
or stochastic
data rate
- Coordination Constrained
Conclusions
• Remote experiments can be used to
enhance the learning experience
• Some limitations and disadvantages
• Hands-on experimental demonstrations
are beneficial to students
Web Site
.
. .
http://chem engr utc edu/Labs
Recommendations
• Augmentation of laboratory experiences
• Class demonstrations
• Richness of transient behavior
• Additional student opportunities for
learning or review
Acknowledgements
Tennessee Taxpayers
National Science Foundation
UTC's Center for Excellence
in Computer Applications
National Instruments
Microsoft Corporation
UTC’s SimCenter
Personnel
Don Eberhart
Many students
Many collaborators
“The person that shares his toys with the
most others has the most fun.”