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A Hybrid Virtual-Physical Approach for Performing Control Theory Laboratories from Home

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New Realities, Mobile Systems and Applications (IMCL 2021)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems ((LNNS,volume 411))

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Abstract

A major challenge in the online delivery of engineering courses is the implementation of the lab component. With most campuses being closed due to COVID-19 pandemic, many of the engineering courses’ labs are either cancelled, converted to a totally virtual, or remote lab setting. The paper proposes a novel hybrid virtual-physical laboratories for a control theory course that is delivered online. The virtual labs are implemented using a 3D animated digital twin of a motor. The physical labs are implemented using a low-cost take-home lab kit that was sent to students.

The use of the proposed hybrid approach achieves the benefits of both virtual labs and physical labs. Specifically, the virtual labs form a sandbox where the student can safely experiment and try new designs without worrying about damaging equipment. This will also form a gentle introduction to the utilization of the physical labs. The physical labs allow the student to see the actual control system components, and hardware troubleshooting.

Both the proposed virtual and physical labs can be performed by the student from home at any convenient time; and the lab is always available to the student through the whole semester.

The hybrid virtual-physical labs were utilized in the fall of 2020 within an introductory control theory course offered to a third-year undergraduate students at McMaster University. Based on the students’ feedback, the designed labs were effective within the online course delivery and they provided deep insights and understanding of the concepts that were taught in the class.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. W Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada

    Mostafa Mohamed Soliman

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  1. Mostafa Mohamed Soliman
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Correspondence to Mostafa Mohamed Soliman .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. CTI Global, Frankfurt, Germany

    Michael E. Auer

  2. Department of Informatics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece

    Thrasyvoulos Tsiatsos

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Soliman, M.M. (2022). A Hybrid Virtual-Physical Approach for Performing Control Theory Laboratories from Home. In: Auer, M.E., Tsiatsos, T. (eds) New Realities, Mobile Systems and Applications. IMCL 2021. Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, vol 411. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-96296-8_18

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-96296-8_18

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