A computer aided learning module for digital control: Description, analysis, test and improvement

This paper presents a set of pedagogical solutions, their analysis, test and improvement, for an autonomous computer aided learning module. The content of the module is an introduction to digital control, based on a real (but simulated) industrial system: the automatic air conditioning system inside a modern car. The rather theoretical contents are presented without any mathematics to our non specialist students, according to a pedagogy of the inductive type. Our added value lies in the module structure, evaluation with a pre-test and a post-test, analysis and improvement through two successive years in 2006 and 2007. The student opinions are tested about utility and easiness of the contents, utility of the computer for training, usability of the computer in an autonomous way and motivation. The analysis brings to light less large positive opinions after the course than before. These results remain stable through the years. Consequently, educators and policy makes should be careful with e-learning dissemination.