Authors:
Shlomo Engelberg
1
and
Cecile Yehezkel
2
Affiliations:
1
Jerusalem College of Technology, Israel
;
2
Bar-Ilan University, Israel
Keyword(s):
Computer-assisted Instruction, Distance Learning, Virtual Labs, Web Lectures and Notes.
Related
Ontology
Subjects/Areas/Topics:
Blended Learning
;
Computer-Supported Education
;
Domain Applications and Case Studies
;
e-Learning
;
e-Learning in Electrical, Mechanical, Civil and Information Engineering
;
e-Learning Success Cases
;
Errors in e-Learning
;
Learning/Teaching Methodologies and Assessment
Abstract:
In this paper, we describe our experiences running a “partially virtual” microcontroller lab. We show that though the virtual portion of the lab can contribute to the students’ understanding, there are also several pitfalls that must be avoided or dealt with. We have found that our “virtual microcontroller” simulates a true microcontroller to a reasonable extent, but there are cases in which the simulator does not properly simulate the microcontroller. It is critical that students be taught to think of “virtual equipment” as something distinct from the real equipment and as something with idiosyncrasies of its own.