Web-based learning and instruction support system for pneumatics

Abstract

This research presents a Web-based learning and instructional system for Pneumatics. The system includes course material, remote data acquisition modules, and a pneumatic laboratory set. The course material is in the HTML format accompanied with text, still and animated images, simulation programs, and computer aided design tools. The data acquisition modules of the system can be connected through the computer I/O with actual devices to verify and implement simulation results to enhance the corresponding pneumatics learning. Therefore, this Web-based learning and instruction support system can be used to assist the pneumatics instruction, computer aided sequential control design and pneumatic laboratory practice. The course material is organized by chapters and sections, leads users from pneumatic devices to pneumatic systems. Programmable logic controller, PC-based sequential control, internet remote monitoring, and Web-based sequential control are also covered. In this study, combinations of software devices and hardware system circuit were used to demonstrate the motion of controlled system. To assist instruction for a pneumatics course, computer-aided pneumatic circuit design software and computer-aided electric circuit design software were fully integrated. In combining with the remote data acquisition modules, the Web-based sequential controller can be used to conduct pneumatic experiment. To gain consistency, this instructional system is mounted on a previously developed instructional platform. Under this Java-based platform, users can apply the communication tools of the platform to gain efficiency while in a non-co-located multiuser session. A database server is used to store circuit designs for all users. And, because the software has collaborative function, it allows all users to design on same circuits collaboratively. © 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.