Web-based programmable logic controller learning system

A web-based learning system is being developed to teach students about programmable logic controllers (PLCs). This system will ultimately incorporate intelligent tutoring system, simulation, animation, and hardware emulation technologies. This article describes the development and evaluation of a prototype lesson on PLC timer instructions. The lesson was developed using an intelligent tutoring system authoring tool, animations, and presentation software. The evaluation was conducted with 90 undergraduate manufacturing engineering students. Students made statistically significant learning gains as a result of taking the lesson, and rated it positively in terms of its ease of use and understanding, clear objectives, amount of interaction, ability to motivate, relevance, and pace.