Exploring didactic possibilities of an electronic devices remote lab with students of Electronic Engineering

Exploring didactic possibilities of an electronic devices remote lab with students of Electronic Engineering

ICBL 2009 – http://www.icbl-conference.org/November 05 - 07, 2009 Florianopolis, Brazil

Federico Lerro, Susana Marchisio, Oscar Von Pamel

Faculty of Exact Sciences, Engineering and Land Surveying

National University of Rosario, Rosario, Argentina

Federico Lerro, Susana Marchisio, Oscar Von PamelFaculty of Exact Sciences, Engineering and Surveying

National University of Rosario, Rosario, Argentina

EXPLORING DIDACTIC POSSIBILITIES OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICES REMOTE LAB WITH STUDENTS OF ELECTRONIC ENGINEERINGEXPLORING DIDACTIC POSSIBILITIES OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICES REMOTE LAB WITH STUDENTS OF ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING

We present some results of an exploratory study carried out with the collaboration of students, whose aim was to examine the teaching potential of a self developed remote lab, called “Electronic Physics Remote Lab”.

The aim of the paper The aim of the paper

Federico Lerro, Susana Marchisio, Oscar Von PamelFaculty of Exact Sciences, Engineering and Surveying

National University of Rosario, Rosario, Argentina

EXPLORING DIDACTIC POSSIBILITIES OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICES REMOTE LAB WITH STUDENTS OF ELECTRONIC ENGINEERINGEXPLORING DIDACTIC POSSIBILITIES OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICES REMOTE LAB WITH STUDENTS OF ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING

What are they?They are laboratories where the experiments can be carried out remotely

The degree of functionality and level of user access has evolved thanks to advances in web applications and technologies

AdvantagesAllow the students to use the laboratory at any time

The same equipment can be use by all the students and shared with other institutions

They are very effectives for e-learning purposes

Remote LaboratoriesRemote Laboratories

Federico Lerro, Susana Marchisio, Oscar Von PamelFaculty of Exact Sciences, Engineering and Surveying

National University of Rosario, Rosario, Argentina

EXPLORING DIDACTIC POSSIBILITIES OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICES REMOTE LAB WITH STUDENTS OF ELECTRONIC ENGINEERINGEXPLORING DIDACTIC POSSIBILITIES OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICES REMOTE LAB WITH STUDENTS OF ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING

ObjectivesObtain the static characteristic of four different semiconductor devices (Diodes, BJT, J-Fet and Phototransistor)Choose different test points and analyze results Calculate some of the devices parameters

Main FeaturesTest several semiconductor devices at the same laboratoryWeb Browser independence (compatible with Mozilla, Internet Explorer, Opera, etc)No use of plug-in or applets (only HTML)Simple, intuitive and easy-to-use interface

First Remote LaboratoryFirst Remote Laboratory

Federico Lerro, Susana Marchisio, Oscar Von PamelFaculty of Exact Sciences, Engineering and Surveying

National University of Rosario, Rosario, Argentina

EXPLORING DIDACTIC POSSIBILITIES OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICES REMOTE LAB WITH STUDENTS OF ELECTRONIC ENGINEERINGEXPLORING DIDACTIC POSSIBILITIES OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICES REMOTE LAB WITH STUDENTS OF ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING

Hardware and SoftwareHardware and Software

PCMicrosoft Windows XP

IIS 5.1 (web server)

Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0

Microsoft Visual Studio .Net 2003 and .Net Framework 1.1

Microsoft Office Web Components 10

National Instrument DAQ Legacy Device Driver

National Instruments DAQ-12008 analog input channels

2 analog output channels

3 input/output digital 8-bit ports

Federico Lerro, Susana Marchisio, Oscar Von PamelFaculty of Exact Sciences, Engineering and Surveying

National University of Rosario, Rosario, Argentina

EXPLORING DIDACTIC POSSIBILITIES OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICES REMOTE LAB WITH STUDENTS OF ELECTRONIC ENGINEERINGEXPLORING DIDACTIC POSSIBILITIES OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICES REMOTE LAB WITH STUDENTS OF ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING

Hardware and SoftwareHardware and Software

Custom board5-test circuits and device selector

• Diode (direct polarization)• Zener Diode (voltage regulation polarization)• Bipolar Junction Transistor (BJT)• Junction Field-Effect Transistor (J-FET)• Phototransistor

Digitally controlled Power sources• DC Positive voltage• DC Negative voltage• DC Current

Federico Lerro, Susana Marchisio, Oscar Von PamelFaculty of Exact Sciences, Engineering and Surveying

National University of Rosario, Rosario, Argentina

EXPLORING DIDACTIC POSSIBILITIES OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICES REMOTE LAB WITH STUDENTS OF ELECTRONIC ENGINEERINGEXPLORING DIDACTIC POSSIBILITIES OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICES REMOTE LAB WITH STUDENTS OF ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING

Custom BoardCustom Board

Power Supply Stage

Circuit Selector

Semiconductor Devices

DAQ Card Connector

Federico Lerro, Susana Marchisio, Oscar Von PamelFaculty of Exact Sciences, Engineering and Surveying

National University of Rosario, Rosario, Argentina

EXPLORING DIDACTIC POSSIBILITIES OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICES REMOTE LAB WITH STUDENTS OF ELECTRONIC ENGINEERINGEXPLORING DIDACTIC POSSIBILITIES OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICES REMOTE LAB WITH STUDENTS OF ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING

Web Server with .Net Framework

PC

Internet

PC

PC

DAQ-Card

Power source andcircuit selector

control

Semiconductordevices

CC CC

S1

S2

S3

D1

D8

HAB.

Decoder

Custom Made PCB

System ArchitectureSystem Architecture

Federico Lerro, Susana Marchisio, Oscar Von PamelFaculty of Exact Sciences, Engineering and Surveying

National University of Rosario, Rosario, Argentina

EXPLORING DIDACTIC POSSIBILITIES OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICES REMOTE LAB WITH STUDENTS OF ELECTRONIC ENGINEERINGEXPLORING DIDACTIC POSSIBILITIES OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICES REMOTE LAB WITH STUDENTS OF ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING

Software’s procedureSoftware’s procedure

User’s PC

Power source andcircuit selector

control

Semiconductordevices

CC CC

S1

S2

S3

D1

D8

HAB.

Decoder

Custom Made PCB

Server

IIS 5.1Web Server

and.Net Framework 1.1

ServerApplication

DAQ-Card

TCP/IP TCP/IP RequestRequest

WinsockWinsockTCP/IPTCP/IP

NI DAQ NI DAQ DriverDriver

Output Output Digital Digital PortsPorts

Input Input Analog Analog

ChannelsChannels

Federico Lerro, Susana Marchisio, Oscar Von PamelFaculty of Exact Sciences, Engineering and Surveying

National University of Rosario, Rosario, Argentina

EXPLORING DIDACTIC POSSIBILITIES OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICES REMOTE LAB WITH STUDENTS OF ELECTRONIC ENGINEERINGEXPLORING DIDACTIC POSSIBILITIES OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICES REMOTE LAB WITH STUDENTS OF ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING

We think that the remote lab integrated into the carrying out of significant open and complex problem solution activities may help students develop abilities in:

The stand-alone resolution of tasks, the putting into practice of reflexive and pro-active attitudes, the planning, the self-control of learning activities The observation, interpretation and analysis of results in a way that is similar to what researchers do.Interpretation results in order to account for the behaviour of basic electronic devices under different experimental conditions from a scientific perspective.The analysis and construction of technological models.Experimental trial through some usual working methodology in working space

Didactic possibilities (as Didactic possibilities (as hypothesis)hypothesis)

Federico Lerro, Susana Marchisio, Oscar Von PamelFaculty of Exact Sciences, Engineering and Surveying

National University of Rosario, Rosario, Argentina

EXPLORING DIDACTIC POSSIBILITIES OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICES REMOTE LAB WITH STUDENTS OF ELECTRONIC ENGINEERINGEXPLORING DIDACTIC POSSIBILITIES OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICES REMOTE LAB WITH STUDENTS OF ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING

The experimental dictationThe experimental dictation

Participants: 12 students within the syllabus of the subject Physics IV belonging to the career of Electronics Engineering (UNR) Topics Junctions and BJT Transistors. Instruction based on a constructivist approach (student centered approach) Balance between Computer Based Long Distance Education, traditional teaching and learning technologies

Federico Lerro, Susana Marchisio, Oscar Von PamelFaculty of Exact Sciences, Engineering and Surveying

National University of Rosario, Rosario, Argentina

EXPLORING DIDACTIC POSSIBILITIES OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICES REMOTE LAB WITH STUDENTS OF ELECTRONIC ENGINEERINGEXPLORING DIDACTIC POSSIBILITIES OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICES REMOTE LAB WITH STUDENTS OF ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING

The research The research

Initial contact with the remote lab once the first unit corresponding to Junctions had been finished.The students’ received an explanation on the most important existing differences between this “real lab” and the simulations “virtual lab” that they were familiar with Each student was given a user name and a password of their own.Students observed a round of screens, resources, possible requirements and operating capacity recognition

Federico Lerro, Susana Marchisio, Oscar Von PamelFaculty of Exact Sciences, Engineering and Surveying

National University of Rosario, Rosario, Argentina

EXPLORING DIDACTIC POSSIBILITIES OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICES REMOTE LAB WITH STUDENTS OF ELECTRONIC ENGINEERINGEXPLORING DIDACTIC POSSIBILITIES OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICES REMOTE LAB WITH STUDENTS OF ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING

Students solved the learning activities on their own through the use of the remote lab, outside the classroom.The submission of the corresponding reports containing the solution to the activities was arranged in two weeks (time devoted to each topic involved).Once the experimental dictation was over, the students were asked to prepare a test report of the remote lab including, in a free writing format, an analysis of its benefits from an educational point of view, apart from the critics and suggestions for its improvement.

The research The research

Federico Lerro, Susana Marchisio, Oscar Von PamelFaculty of Exact Sciences, Engineering and Surveying

National University of Rosario, Rosario, Argentina

EXPLORING DIDACTIC POSSIBILITIES OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICES REMOTE LAB WITH STUDENTS OF ELECTRONIC ENGINEERINGEXPLORING DIDACTIC POSSIBILITIES OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICES REMOTE LAB WITH STUDENTS OF ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING

The learning activities The learning activities

The students were asked:To study the behaviour of different junctions (silicon and germanium rectifying diode, breakdown diode, base-emitter junction and BJT base-collector junction, led diode) and to infer about the constructive features.To obtain characteristic parameters of devices (such as, η in the case of a diode; the current gain β in common-emitter connection and output dynamic resistance, in the case of a BJT) under different rehearsing conditions (different temperatures) and to explain the observed behaviours from the perspective of the physical processes involved.

Federico Lerro, Susana Marchisio, Oscar Von PamelFaculty of Exact Sciences, Engineering and Surveying

National University of Rosario, Rosario, Argentina

EXPLORING DIDACTIC POSSIBILITIES OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICES REMOTE LAB WITH STUDENTS OF ELECTRONIC ENGINEERINGEXPLORING DIDACTIC POSSIBILITIES OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICES REMOTE LAB WITH STUDENTS OF ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING

The ResultsThe ResultsAll the students carried out tests with all the devices enabledNot all the students made individual test reports. Only 5 reports were availableAll the reports included assessing considerations and specific suggestions about the design of the interface and the functionality of the remote lab; One report also included, the description and explanation of each test and the results obtained, accompanied by charts and graphics.The observations carried out by students were analyzed, grouped and categorized.

Federico Lerro, Susana Marchisio, Oscar Von PamelFaculty of Exact Sciences, Engineering and Surveying

National University of Rosario, Rosario, Argentina

EXPLORING DIDACTIC POSSIBILITIES OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICES REMOTE LAB WITH STUDENTS OF ELECTRONIC ENGINEERINGEXPLORING DIDACTIC POSSIBILITIES OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICES REMOTE LAB WITH STUDENTS OF ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING

The resultsThe results

Federico Lerro, Susana Marchisio, Oscar Von PamelFaculty of Exact Sciences, Engineering and Surveying

National University of Rosario, Rosario, Argentina

EXPLORING DIDACTIC POSSIBILITIES OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICES REMOTE LAB WITH STUDENTS OF ELECTRONIC ENGINEERINGEXPLORING DIDACTIC POSSIBILITIES OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICES REMOTE LAB WITH STUDENTS OF ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING

Taking into account the students’ Taking into account the students’ suggestionssuggestions

Some changes in the hardware and software as well as in the interface which allow to:

Obtain and display in one test the diode complete curve. Obtain and display the bijunction transistor temperature variation curve in one graphic (in order to be able to compare them) Change the scale of the axis of the curves shown in order to be able to observe better certain features of each device.Addition of new test devices: unijunction transistor, four-layer diode (Shockley), multicoloured led, germanium bijunction transistor and other variations of bijunction transistors. Improvement of the interface of tests selection

Federico Lerro, Susana Marchisio, Oscar Von PamelFaculty of Exact Sciences, Engineering and Surveying

National University of Rosario, Rosario, Argentina

EXPLORING DIDACTIC POSSIBILITIES OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICES REMOTE LAB WITH STUDENTS OF ELECTRONIC ENGINEERINGEXPLORING DIDACTIC POSSIBILITIES OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICES REMOTE LAB WITH STUDENTS OF ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING

ConclusionsConclusionsThe didactic potentiality of the remote lab

The remote lab allowed students to test and to obtain different kinds of voltage-current diode, bijunction and J-Fet transistors curves as well as to make significant analysis of the physical processes wanted through the resolution of the activities suggested The degree of appropriation of this tool by students seems to have gone beyond the objectives of the study. The students develop more tests (not only the required ones)They have used the remote lab as a complementary resource to the traditional lab; they have dared to suggest tests with new objectives and to ask for the addition of other devices which are a matter of study in this chair.

Federico Lerro, Susana Marchisio, Oscar Von PamelFaculty of Exact Sciences, Engineering and Surveying

National University of Rosario, Rosario, Argentina

EXPLORING DIDACTIC POSSIBILITIES OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICES REMOTE LAB WITH STUDENTS OF ELECTRONIC ENGINEERINGEXPLORING DIDACTIC POSSIBILITIES OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICES REMOTE LAB WITH STUDENTS OF ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING

The students showed themselves favorably predisposed along the study and have got involved making decisions about their own learning process They have done interesting valuations and improvement suggestions. The results encourage new experiences and also make it possible to state that the remote lab may become a valuable teaching resource for the training of engineers.

ConclusionsConclusions

A remote lab like an educational resource in the teaching of the

Physics of electronic devices

A remote lab like an educational resource in the teaching of the

Physics of electronic devices

ICBL 2009 Florianópolis (Brazil) – November, 5-7

Federico Lerro, Susana Marchisio, Miguel Plano,Mauro Protano, Oscar Von PamelFaculty of Exact Sciences, Engineering and Land SurveyingNational University of Rosario, Rosario, Argentina

Federico Lerro, Susana Marchisio, Oscar Von PamelFaculty of Exact Sciences, Engineering and Surveying

National University of Rosario, Rosario, Argentina

EXPLORING DIDACTIC POSSIBILITIES OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICES REMOTE LAB WITH STUDENTS OF ELECTRONIC ENGINEERINGEXPLORING DIDACTIC POSSIBILITIES OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICES REMOTE LAB WITH STUDENTS OF ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING

We think that the teaching action must be conceived like a generator of learning situations in both real and virtual environments / real and simulated significative practices, with the aim of promoting:

Achievement of autonomy in the resolution of scientific and tecnological tasks, in the application of concepts, in the implementation of reflexive and pro-active attitudes; Planning efficiently, choosing strategies, testing processes and products, acquiring self-control of the learning activities themselves.

Looking for didactic reasons Looking for didactic reasons

Federico Lerro, Susana Marchisio, Oscar Von PamelFaculty of Exact Sciences, Engineering and Surveying

National University of Rosario, Rosario, Argentina

EXPLORING DIDACTIC POSSIBILITIES OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICES REMOTE LAB WITH STUDENTS OF ELECTRONIC ENGINEERINGEXPLORING DIDACTIC POSSIBILITIES OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICES REMOTE LAB WITH STUDENTS OF ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING

http://labremf4.fceia.unr.edu.ar

Federico Lerro, Susana Marchisio, Oscar Von PamelFaculty of Exact Sciences, Engineering and Surveying

National University of Rosario, Rosario, Argentina

EXPLORING DIDACTIC POSSIBILITIES OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICES REMOTE LAB WITH STUDENTS OF ELECTRONIC ENGINEERINGEXPLORING DIDACTIC POSSIBILITIES OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICES REMOTE LAB WITH STUDENTS OF ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING

Looking for didactic reasons Looking for didactic reasons

LEARNING OUTCOMES / Some important competences to be developed in Engineering Education

Judge products of researchIntegrate tools and techniques, ability to abstract, recognize fundamental conceptsMake a research planCarry out a given research planFormulate hypothesis and test validityUse a base of techniques and toolsJudge how and when to use specific techniquesComprehend new techniquesEffective and efficient modeling (right level of abstraction)Problem-solving, information technology, and team working skills

Federico Lerro, Susana Marchisio, Oscar Von PamelFaculty of Exact Sciences, Engineering and Surveying

National University of Rosario, Rosario, Argentina

EXPLORING DIDACTIC POSSIBILITIES OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICES REMOTE LAB WITH STUDENTS OF ELECTRONIC ENGINEERINGEXPLORING DIDACTIC POSSIBILITIES OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICES REMOTE LAB WITH STUDENTS OF ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING

The remote lab facilitates the students’ access to a series of physic systems at any time and place.

The lab is also very valuable as a means of concept integration making possible that students and teachers can work together interactively in class attendance, and so enriching their technical approaches with observations and experimental analyses carried out at the “right time”

ConclusionsConclusions