The project will be continued in the future focusing on:
- "Java language and applets" so that interactive features
are incorporated into the conventional hypermedia environment,
- "Shockwave platform" that allows users to view and interact with
multimedia modules such as,
Authorware-based CAT/CAL/CALE,
on the Web, and
- developing/adapting " plug-ins programs " to extend the capabilities
of the Web browser in handling educational computer simulation
programs.
Other factors influencing the future direction of this project
include:
- University of Wollongong Strategic Development Fund Grant
(SDF-1996) and
- Committee for Advancement of University Teaching Application
(CAUT-1997).
Factors that influenced the direction of this project in the past
included:
- University of Wollongong Strategic Development Fund Application, 1995
(SDF-1995) and
- Committee for Advancement of University Teaching Application
(CAUT'1996).
Project Summary
The project aims to develop sample computer modules to demonstrate features
and capabilities of the Web technology and concept when it is used in
tertiary education. It shows how the technology enables students to use a
range of teaching and learning media in an integrated and coherent environment.
These modules will be used for small group presentations and training sessions
for Faculty members who wish to adapt new educational technologies in their
teaching. Modules are yet to be developed include
- Web to support problem-based and computer-simulation approaches,
- Web for publishing teaching and learning resources,
- Web to support teaching laboratory classes,
- Web to support large class of core subjects, and
- Web to support PG reports and thesis subjects.
Project Summary
Problem-based learning is considered a powerful teaching method in a
variety of disciplines. In engineering education, this method may be
supplemented by a computer simulation approach so that students develop
computational and technological literacy while they engage in the
development of intuitive and conceptual understanding of the subject matter.
The method cannot be implemented effectively unless a set of well
coordinated support resources are provided.
This project aims to develop a fully integrated computer-based
engineering education working model where "problem-oriented" case studies
using a "computer-simulation'' methodology play a dominant role.
The working model uses the World Wide Web technology as an educational
delivery tool, in network and/or stand-alone mode of operation.
It helps students to define problems, gathers and evaluates/processes
information, and develops solutions. The Web integrates diverse support
materials in a dynamic and meaningful way. It allows students to arrive
at informed judgments and to work cooperatively in groups.
The resulting portable working model can be used in a diverse range of electrical, mechanical, civil, chemical and environmental engineering courses. To demonstrate its effectiveness, the model will be adapted to deliver "electric power systems analysis" subject. Relevant support materials will be provided by the applicant in this implementation. These include searchable hypertext documents, computer simulation and utility programs, and a variety of media files such as images, sound and animations. Supplementary features such as self and computer assessments with feedback will also be available. Tailoring the Web environment for a combined "problem-oriented" and "computer-simulation" approach provides challenge for capable students on one hand and support and stimulation for less capable ones on the other.
Project Summary
Hypermedia is an information handling model in which separate
units of information such as text, images and sound are linked in a
meaningful and structured way.
The World Wide Web~(Web) is a free hypermedia-based information
retrieval mechanism that provides user-friendly access across
all major computer platforms connected over Internet.
Modern science and engineering teaching laboratories across the campus
use, together with other traditional media, a variety of computer aided
learning, simulation packages and data acquisition and analysis programs.
e of these media enhances students' learning
This project will investigate the use of Web's concept and methodology to
enable students to use a range of teaching laboratory media in an
integrated, coherent and friendly environment.
The project has the following two distinct thrusts:
- infrastructure design and prototype development of a Web-based
delivery environment suitable for science/engineering
laboratory courseware, and
- using the resulting environment for delivering educational
courseware in a large, second year electric power laboratory subject.
The proposed approach will enhance the students' ability to
develop experimental skills in a stimulating environment.
It also encourages learning by explorations, and helps students
to develop target learning outcomes of each component of the
laboratory courseware.
Project Summary
Recent data collected from the Australasian electric
power engineering schools indicates most educators are
still committed to a textbook/calculator approach in teaching
final year power subjects.
In engineering education, computer simulations are used
to represent the essential features of a real system so that
learners can test their analytical and design skills in a
convenient and safe environment. In electric power engineering
education, however, computer simulation provides a unique way
of creating stimulation and challenge along with
helping students to:
- develop two fundamental learning outcomes namely
conceptual and intuitive understanding; and
- work on realistic case studies through individualized
tutor-hours.
A computer simulation-based teaching/learning method for
power engineering education has been successfully implemented
by the applicant and its algorithm and
outcomes published internationally.
This project will build upon that success by making available
distinctive advantages of a hypermedia-based learning environment.
This enables students to explore the subject matter through
the computation (simulation) appropriate to their level of
understanding and at their own pace. It also allows the inclusion
of hypertext documents~(with a simple navigation method),
an on-line self and computer assessment~(with prompt feedback),
and a mechanism for providing remediation steps
to students, particularly with regard to assumed knowledge.
These features offer a good degree of interactive richness.
Modern power systems encompass the new technology.
The media that are used in electric power engineering education
should help to convey this.
Moreover, The continual increase of low-cost functionality available in
desktop computing has opened up a new possibility in learning
complex subject matter intuitively (rather than analytically)
that cannot possibly be achieved otherwise.
Pedagogical principles of the project are closely
related to what one may expect from computer simulation approaches
in an interactive learning environment.