Labs Appropriate for Lecture-based Introductory Systems and Controls Classes Using LEGO NXT and Labview

This paper explores the inclusion of control system experiments into lecture-based introductory Systems and Controls courses. The experiments are impl mented in two modes: as an in-class experiment and as a take-home project. The LEGO NX T kit with LabVIEW software is the platform. The experiment is supported by a website that includes a tutorial on the fundamental theoretical concepts, a video tutorial on the opera tion, and an online test representative of questions the students might be asked on an exam in the course. A discussion of the assessment methods for this laboratory module is included .