TUES 1: Enhancing an Open Laboratory-Based Circuits Experience with a Virtual Laboratory Assistant

在移动计算设备无处不在的时代，学生们需要即时获取信息。该项目正在创建一个开源的在线实验室，学生可以在按需设置中参与电子工程内容的体验式学习。它正在开发一个开放实验室，该实验室使用具有语音输入和输出功能的虚拟实验室助手（VLA），为参加自定进度的本科工程实验室的学生提供个性化指导。智能代理通过为每个学生提供个性化辅导来定制学习过程。系统的组成部分包括：实验前测试和指导、工程设计练习、简短的主题讲解视频、仪器仪表指导（包括安全）以及相应的实验后测试模块。在实验前，学生将被介绍基本理论和仿真工具。如果学生需要澄清一个主题，一个简短的教学视频将提供指导。这些视频利用可汗学院风格的格式，并解释了许多基本的电气工程概念。实验指导模块帮助学生使用VLA执行一个开放式设计问题。该项目的试点电气工程实验室正在研究可扩展框架的开发，并评估开放实验室教学方法的有效性。这一努力正在探索：(1)个人自主学习的可能性有多大；(2)全天候可访问的好处是什么；(3)胆小的学生如何在无威胁的环境中接受个性化指导；(4)如何通过允许学生自由探索主题来提高参与度。评估活动包括形成性和总结性的努力，将由天普大学教学中心提供支持。教学诊断和调查将为感兴趣的教育工作者提供必要的数据，以促进其他机构采用项目资源。天普大学的开放实验室每年在十几次招聘活动中被用作招聘工具，这些活动的重点是高中生和中学生。参加这些活动的有数百名来自未被充分代表的群体的潜在工程师。通过这些活动，团队正在招募未被充分代表的群体的成员。他们还通过开放实验室将教育和研究结合起来——本科生在其中进行模拟和原型制作。开放实验室环境的成功开发有望更有效地利用实验室空间和学生/教师的时间。此外，该试点正在产生一个开放的实验室模型，可以被其他课程利用，以及一个可扩展的架构，可以被其他学院和大学使用。

PROJECT DESCRIPTION In an age of ubiquitous mobile computing devices, students demand instant access to information. The project is creating an open-source, on-line laboratory in which students can engage in experiential learning of electrical engineering content in an on-demand setting. It is developing an open laboratory, which uses a virtual laboratory assistant (VLA) with voice input and output capabilities to provide personalized instruction for students participating in a self-paced undergraduate engineering laboratory. The intelligent agent is customizing the learning process by providing each student with personalized tutoring. The components of the system include: pre-lab testing and instruction, engineering design exercises, short topic explanation videos, instrumentation instruction (including safety), and a corresponding post-lab test module. In the pre-lab, students are introduced to basic theory and simulation tools. If a student needs clarification on a topic, a short instructional video will provide guidance. These videos utilize a Khan Academy style format and explain many basic electrical engineering concepts. The lab instruction module assists students in executing an open-ended design problem using the VLA. The project's pilot electrical engineering lab is studying the development of an extensible framework and evaluating the efficacy of open laboratory pedagogical approach. The effort is exploring: (1) to what extent is individual, self-paced learning possible, (2) what benefit comes with 24/7 accessibility, (3) how more timid students can receive personalized instruction in a non-threatening environment, and (4) how the level of engagement can be increased by allowing students to freely explore the subject matter. The evaluation activities involve both formative and summative efforts that will be supported by Temple University's Teaching and Learning Center. The instructional diagnosis and surveys will provide interested educators with data necessary to foster adoption of the project resources at other institutions.BROADER SIGNIFICANCE Temple University's open laboratory is being used as a recruiting tool during more than a dozen recruiting events per year, which are focused on high school and middle school students. These events are attended by hundreds of potential engineers from underrepresented groups. Through these events, the team is recruiting members of underrepresented groups to engineering. They are also integrating education and research through the open laboratories - in which undergraduate research students are performing simulations and prototyping. A successful development of the open laboratory environment is expected to more efficiently utilize lab space and student/faculty time. Moreover, the pilot is producing an open lab model that can be leveraged by other courses, along with a scalable architecture that can be used by other colleges and universities.