Integrative Approach to Teaching of the Circuit Design of Analog Electron Devices in the NI ELVIS Platform

Modern graduates need to work with electronic devices. On laboratory work, students conduct experiments to solve practical problems of researching real problems that arise in the design and operation of electronic devices. However, the shortage of laboratory equipment and assistants for maintenance and assistance in work, its high cost reduce the quality of laboratory work. On the other hand, modern education is increasingly using a network resource. Virtual laboratories have their advantages, but even when carrying out a physical experiment in them, the sense of the reality of what is happening disappears. Effective solutions to the effectiveness and quality of conducting laboratory exercises can be found using a system of virtual instruments that can be accessed via the Internet or directly at the university.

The aim of the research is to show, by the example of one experimental device made on the National Instruments ELVIS platform, the advantages of a combined approach to learning – a successful combination of a virtual resource and a real physical experiment. The laboratory model described in the article is very practical for studying radio-engineering devices, and it can ideologically serve as a basis for other similar developments.

The research was based on the prototype board for studying the basics of analog electronics for the NI ELVIS workstation, the cycle of laboratory work on the general technical discipline “Electronics”, the results of their protection, and the results of intermediate student controls. In work the following methods are used: laboratory experiment, modeling, pedagogical testing. The results of the research show that students feel the need for more knowledge about real processes and systems. This need is most evident in the direction of the preparation of bachelors of engineering and technology. They expect from a laboratory work a real physical experiment, but with the convenience of computer-processing results. A new paradigm for studying radio electronic devices, based on physical experiments in a virtual instrument system gives an improvement in the quality of instruction and allows students to study the circuitry of analog devices more effectively. The ideology of virtual instruments leads to more motivation for students; they gain skills to work with modern measuring equipment and at the same time communication skills in a group, as the computer resource is used as a research tool, not the purpose of learning.

A physical experiment, using virtual measuring instruments, accessibility and mobility of laboratory facilities, additional motivation of students are the main advantages of using the NI ELVIS hardware and software platform with a specialized breadboard model in the educational process.

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