Automated networks/electronics teaching laboratories

The author discusses the integration of computer-assisted workstations into the teaching laboratory curriculum at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He documents the Electrical Engineering Department´s efforts to incorporate these workstations into the undergraduate laboratories to complement the PC requirement. Consideration is given to workstation hardware, logistics of setting up the workstation in the laboratory, workstation software, and evaluation of the use of the workstation and student reactions. It is noted that, along with a fundamental understanding of the basic principles of electronics and circuits, the students have gained valuable experience with the tools of computer interfacing and data acquisition. A majority of students agreed that the integration of the computer workstations helped them learn more about electronics and networks, fulfilling the main goal of these laboratory courses