Intelligent Computer-Based Learning Environments for Undergraduate Engineering Laboratories

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This project builds on two years of investigation concerned with creation of laboratory learning environments for undergraduate engineering education. The general theme is how to improve undergraduate engineering laboratory education by creating visually-oriented learning environments that combine computer-based intelligent tutoring systems, interactive visualization systems and laboratory instrumentation. The hypothesized pedagogical gain is the enhanced understanding that students should receive from interactive computer visualization of theoretical concepts that are directly linked to the same information provided by laboratory instrumentation. The principal practical benefit of the project is the creation of builder tools that permit instructors to rapidly construct new laboratory curricula in significantly reduced time on commonly available computer hardware. First, the capabilities of the current tutoring systems will be expanded by combining concept visualization and intelligent tutorial systems with laboratory instrumentation. Second, curriculum building tools, student modeling methodologies, and seamless integration of common PC/MAC tools into the systems will be explored. Third, specific laboratories will be implemented and tested to demonstrate the utility of the tools constructed. Fourth, electronic dissemination of the tutorials will be implemented. The long-term objective of this proposed project is to integrate new software methods, laboratory instrumentation, and intelligent tutoring system concepts to create new learning environments for undergraduate engineering laboratories.