Web-based system in mechatronics learning: Views of undergraduate engineering students

Abstract

This work concerns a Web-based system for learning some principles and methods in a mechatronics system that can be accessed remotely over the Internet, at any time and from any location. The investigation involves a case study to illustrate a manufacturing process and evaluate the remote experimental procedure. The main aim reported here is to determine students' perceptions towards Web-based versus traditional experiments and identify any differences in final grade point averages. The experiment was performed at National Changhua University of Education, Taiwan, with an implementation period covering six semesters and a total of 226 students divided randomly into 'traditional' and 'Web-based' groups. The Web-based system helped students understand the concepts and master the technologies associated with Web-based mechatronic monitoring and control. Four out of six semesters surveyed recorded statistically significant differences between student perceptions of traditional and Web-based experimentation.

Design, simulation and virtual implementation of a novel fundamental programmable logic controllers laboratory in a 3D virtual world

“…Many technological developments, and especially the rapid growth of the internet, provide great opportunities in the fields of education and research. 1,2 The Internet, providing a supportive learning environment and the spreading of information to broad masses without typical time and space constraints in distance education, also leads to improvements in engineering education which includes laboratory experiments. [2][3][4][5] Since outdated tools and instruments are generally used in laboratories of engineering departments in universities due to budgetary constraints, 2 virtual, web-based and remotely accessible laboratories are integrated with science and technology education to provide more opportunities for individuals to learn or collaborative learning of groups.…”

“…11 Automation, which is an engineering discipline involving industrial instruments rather than a simple control system, 7 requires programmable logic controllers (PLC). Even though remote and web-based laboratories have been established for PLC training in various studies, 1,7,36,37 in these studies, real PLC, space, energy supply, connections and similar physical equipments are required for PLCs to work. In this study, virtual PLC programming for synchronous and asynchronous PLC training in SL, virtual simulation of this program, and virtual implementation can be done in the laboratory environment created by 3D virtual sensors, buttons, lamps and conveyor belts.…”