Developing Internet-based VHDL course material

This paper examines the issues and challenges in association with leveraging the explosion in information technology systems to effectively develop and deliver on-line VHDL course material. Mississippi State University´s (MSU) Microsystems Prototyping Laboratory (MPL) has been contracted by the RASSP (Rapid-prototyping of Application Specific Signal Processors) Educator/Facilitator Program to assist in the development of on-line VHDL course material. MSU has also developed a VHDL course through a grant from the ARPA AASERT program. The course utilizes the World Wide Web and its associated technologies as a delivery mechanism. The course also utilizes advanced multimedia including use of video and animation to enhance the learning process. The use of intelligent tutoring systems as a catalyst for on-line instruction and training of complex CAD tools is also being explored as a consequence of the development of this and other on-line electrical and computer engineering courses