Advanced learning tools: From real needs to useful student support [Instrumentation Notes]

Educational tools discussed in this paper that have been developed by researchers at the DIEES department of the University of Catania are a computer science class teaching aid for the visually impaired, several virtual instruments, and online laboratory sessions for electrical and electronic measurement courses. An interactive environment has also been developed to reduce the time needed to write an accurate technical report. A common word processor (PC) used for writing technical papers is connected via the network (either local or Internet) to a host computer that has an interactive set of digital instruments. The PC uses suitable routines implemented in SCPI language (Standard Command for Programmable Instruments) to allow local control of the digital instruments.