Lab Plan
Lab Plan |
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By Dr. Fred DePiero
The Electrical Engineering Department at CalPoly is interested in setting up 'studio classrooms' in some lab areas. This type of environment combines a lecture and lab facility into a single room. It features state-of-the-art computing facilities, and can provide a number of advantages over a traditional arrangement. Some examples are briefly outlined below:
- Computer-based design and simulation capabilities may be used to complement derivations and analyses presented in lecture. These help students appreciate the 'big picture' and the utility of a given technique when applied to larger problems than can be done by hand.
- Multimedia demonstrations provide better visualization than traditional chalk board methods.
- In a course that includes CAD tools for design: Instructor could show design examples in lecture, then have students build and test - all in the same room and same class period. CPLD design projects and SPICE-based analysis would work well in this scenario, for example.
- In a signals and systems course with computer-based analysis tools: Computers with screen projectors permit greater variations in parameters to be studied, provide better visualization capabilities, and permit more complex systems to be studied. 'What-If' scenarios can be explored as part of a group discussion, in lecture.
- In general, a smooth transition between lab activity and lecture could occur within the same class meeting, as could a smooth transition between simulation and lab experimentation.
The computer facilities and other equipment envisioned for this hybrid type of room are:
- Combined lecture and lab facility.
- Computers at desks (w/ recessed monitors, for full use of desk).
- Computers at lab benches, w/ interface to instrumentation.
- Computer for instructor.
- Computer projector, source selectable from any station, including lecture or lab machines.
- Ability for instructor to take over monitor, mouse, and keyboard at any station.
- Full internet hookup to all stations.
- Multimedia PCs at each station, speaker, microphone, video camera.
- Projector source from VCR, PCs, or overhead projector.
- Choice of computing platform, operating system and software packages at discretion of dept.
- Scheduling of room at discretion of dept.
This type of room could serve specific courses, and could also serve as a general purpose computing facility for EE and other majors. (EE currently has no such general purpose facility). Such a facility could benefit every technical area of EE.
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