Teaching embedded systems and microcontrollers using scale models

One of the main problems that appear in teaching subjects like embedded systems and microcontrollers is to adequate the theoretical and practical lessons. In this paper we present a teaching experience based on scale models of real systems. The main advantage of the teaching method is the combination of theoretical concepts and practical application of all the concepts learnt at the lectures, using a real system. In this case we have developed two scale models: a garage and a washing car system. The prototypes have been built using Fischer-Technik and contain different electromechanical systems, sensors and actuators, all of them controlled from a 68HC11 board. The experience has been run on two different subjects with a total of 27 students at UPM and the results were extremely good, in terms of concepts learnt and in terms of student satisfaction.