Role of Remote Laboratories Jim Henry, Ph.D., P.E. College of Engineering and Computer Science University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Charles Knight, Ph.D.,

Role of Remote Laboratories

Jim Henry, Ph.D., P.E.

College of Engineering and Computer Science

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Charles Knight, Ph.D., P.E.

• Remote experiments can be used to enhance the learning experience

• Some limitations and disadvantages

• Hands-on experimental demonstrations are beneficial to students

Conclusions

• Augmentation of laboratory experiences

• Class demonstrations

• Richness of transient behavior

• Additional student opportunities for learning or review

Recommendations

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 real-life problems.”

• “It was interesting to see different schools using the same heat 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.”

>$1000/sq ft lab space

Describe some disadvantages of operating experiments remotely-

• “The experiments were sometimes interrupted by malfunction in the 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.”

(same is true of simulations. –Henry)

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

Experimentation -- Design --

Data analysis -- Creativity --

Communication -- Models --

Instrumentation -- Learn from failure --

Communication -- Safety --

Teamwork -- Ethics --

Psychomotor -- Sensory awareness --

•See JEE, January 2005

•Lyle Feisel

•Role of Laboratory…

•Frank Mayadas

•Online Engineering Education

Web Site

http://chem.engr.utc.edu/Labs

 Collaborative Research Opportunity

Roles of Remote Laboratories

•Modeling & Simulation

•Local Experiments

•Remote Experiments

•Local Experiments

+ “Hands on”

+ Watchable in small groups

+ Multi sensory

± Control Panel UI

+ Known data rate

- Time Constrained

- Location Constrained

- Personnel Constrained

•Modeling & Simulation+ Time Freedom

+ Location Freedom

± Computer mediated sensation

± MATLAB UI

± Simulink UI

± Control Station UI

± Excel UI

•Remote Experiments

+ Time Freedom

+ Location Freedom

± Computer mediated sensation

± Simulink UI

± Control Station-like UI

+ Watchable in disperse groups

+ Known or stochastic data rate

- Coordination Constrained

• Remote experiments can be used to enhance the learning experience

• Some limitations and disadvantages

• Hands-on experimental demonstrations are beneficial to students

Conclusions

Web Site

http://chem.engr.utc.edu/Labs

• Augmentation of laboratory experiences

• Class demonstrations

• Richness of transient behavior

• Additional student opportunities for learning or review

Recommendations

Acknowledgements

Tennessee TaxpayersNational Science FoundationUTC's Center for Excellence in Computer ApplicationsNational InstrumentsMicrosoft CorporationUTC’s SimCenter

Personnel

Don EberhartMany studentsMany collaborators

“The person that shares his toys with the most others has the most fun.”