Simulation Based Virtual And Hybrid Laboratories For Telecommunications Education

A combination of traditional hands-on labs representing real-world scenarios and virtual activities helps students better understand technical concepts and fundamental principles, underlying design and operation of telecommunications systems and devices, while acquiring practical skills. Realistic simulations visualize processes occurring in the devices and enable students to observe the physical processes at different levels, analyze constraints between physical parameters, compare actual and virtual data, and much more. The presented virtual labs contain expandable sets of virtual experiments (VE), learning resources and assessment activities. Each VE focuses on a particular task and is comprised of such components as highly interactive main and auxiliary Java and Flash-based simulations, specific learning objectives, experiment description, step-by-step instructions for students, worksheets, embedded assessments, technical manuals, built-in lessons to facilitate “just-in-time (JIT)” learning, and other resources. An easy-to-use authoring tool that enables instructors with no programming or scripting experience to produce effective and pedagogically sound interactive virtual activities is also available. Hybrid virtual and hands-on activities enable students to learn with deep understanding and discover the connections between scientific theory and its practical applications in technology. This enhances the transferability of acquired knowledge and skills beyond the classroom to solve the real world engineering problems.