Some experiments in dynamic-simulator-based control education

We are developing six control engineering design modules for use by graduate students, advanced undergraduates, and practicing engineers in learning about process control. This is part of a larger project investigating the use of dynamic simulation and visualization to enhance the education of manufacturing engineers, technicians and operators. The crucial motivating ideas are that active learning can substantially enhance education-a widely accepted idea-and that computer-based dynamic simulation and visualization can induce active learning. The modules cover the fundamentals of control engineering as well as an introduction to run-to-run control. Each module requires the student to interact, in real time, with an animated illustration of the process to be controlled or the control concept being discussed. The next step is the evaluation of the effectiveness of this teaching tool