Integrating LabVIEW and real-time monitoring into engineering instruction

Abstract

Authors' experiences with programming modules in a freshman engineering course at Virginia Tech are documented. An approach involving gradual integration of the LabVIEW programming concepts into this course is suggested. A variety of assessment data indicate success of the proposed approach. A LabVIEW Enabled Watershed Assessment System (LEWAS) is introduced and status of its development is discussed. It is proposed to integrate the LEWAS into the curriculum of this freshman engineering course. Integration of LEWAS is a logical extension of the current LabVIEW activities and is targeted at enhancing sustainability component of the course. After the integration of real-time water quality monitoring, enabled by the LEWAS, students will be able to learn about environmental sustainability using data from an on-campus impaired stream. © American Society for Engineering Education, 2009.