Content area
An explanation of a new course currently being taught at the undergraduate and graduate level is provided. Topics including a survey of Internet and Web, HTML, JavaScript/JScript, Java Applet, Perl, CGI protocol and scripts, and Web-based databases are covered. Some theory in industrial process control, sensors, and transducers is introduced with emphasis on Web-based data acquisition, industrial control and automation applications. Laboratory experiments accompanying this course are outlined. Suggestions for selecting laboratory hardware and software are provided.
I. Introduction
There is an increasing demand from industry for professionals who understand the key issues and know how to solve the real world problems using a knowledge of networking, Web technology, and Internet-based control systems. In response to this need, the author’s department offered a senior-level course on "Web Programming for Industrial Applications" for the first time in August 2000 as part of a computer networking certificate program.
With our experience in delivering synchronous TV distance learning course and asynchronous Web-based courses, we tried to deliver this course using a combination of TV lectures and hands-on lab via the Web to provide flexible time for class instruction and learning activities. The TV lecture portion (three-hour of lecture per week) also allowed students who have time conflicts to watch videotapes provided by the university. The hands-on lab via the Web (www.etcs.ipfw.edu/~lin) is a cost effective solution that enables us to offer high-technology courses with lab components without extensive resources. A series of hands-on labs were developed and hosted by a Web server for use by students using a Web browser. The lab setups can be accessed by students 24-hours a day, anywhere in the world, without coming to the university.
The rest of paper is organized as follows. Course design issues are introduced in Section II. The Web-based laboratory environment is discussed in Section III. Course evaluation and conclusion are provided in Section IV.
Proceedings of the 2001 American Society of Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright 2001, American Society for Engineering Education
Details
Transducers;
Engineering education;
Distance learning;
Computer networks;
Perl;
Colleges & universities;
Students;
Servers;
Video tapes;
Java;
Laboratories;
Databases;
Experiments;
Automation;
Time;
World problems;
College students;
Technology;
Internet;
Engineering;
Television;
Hands;
Scripts;
Cost analysis;
Networking;
Application;
Teaching;
Polls & surveys;
Educational activities;
Time use;
Video recordings;
Control systems;
Computer assisted instruction--CAI;
Lectures;
Curriculum development