Author_Institution :
Dept. of Electr. & Comput. Eng., Colorado Univ., Boulder, CO, USA
Abstract :
Modern circuits and electronics laboratories are, more and more, adding a PC class computer to the normal arsenal of oscilloscope, digital multimeter and function generator. With the availability of easy networking, student versions of programs such as MathCad, Matlab, Maple, Electronics Workbench, LabView, PSpice, etc., and the WWW, the possibility of a paperless lab presents itself. We have developed such a lab centered around Netscape, MathCad, Electronics Workbench, and LabView. We present the basic equipment, the specifications, our design decisions in terms of software, the experience in adapting a well functioning paper based lab, and the student response. In addition, after one semester of experience we present some tricks of the trade, pitfalls, and possibilities for improvement
Keywords :
computer science education; courseware; electronic engineering computing; electronic engineering education; laboratories; mathematics; mathematics computing; microcomputer applications; teaching; Electronics Workbench; LabView; MathCad; Netscape; PC class computer; PSpice; WWW; easy networking; electronics laboratories; modern circuits; paper based lab; paperless circuits laboratory; student response; student versions; Circuits; Education; Laboratories; Modems; Operational amplifiers; Oscilloscopes; Protection; Signal generators; Springs; World Wide Web;
