A pedagogical Web service‐based interactive learning environment for a digital filter design course: An evolutionary approach

The course of digital filter design in electronic/electrical engineering involves complicated mathematical equations and dynamic waveform variations. It is a consensus among educators that using simulation tools assist in improving students' learning experiences. Previous studies on system simulation seemed to lack an appropriate approach to design such a course. Few emphasized the design of an interactive learning environment by using an evolutionary approach. This study integrated the design concept of an evolutionary approach and Web service‐based technology into a simulation system entitled Pedagogical Web Service‐Based Interactive Learning Environment (PEWSILE) was introduced. The PEWSILE system contained two interactive learning environments—a simple system and an advanced system. It offered a total of six pedagogical Web services. The simple interactive learning environment included text/color‐based services, and text/color/diagram‐based services. The advanced interactive learning environment included batch‐based, interval change‐based, comparison‐based, and scroll bar‐based services. The study also assessed the students' performance in six pedagogical Web services covering interaction and overall use, usefulness, and intention to use through a questionnaire survey and subsequent interviews. Three significant findings were reported. For example, in the advanced interactive learning environment, the designs of interval change‐based and comparison‐based services make it easier to observe differences in the outcome of parameter change, while batch‐based services lacks the element of waveform comparison. In sum, the findings in this study provide helpful implications in designing engineering educational software. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 18: 423–433, 2010; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com ; DOI 10.1002/cae.20163