We developed a learning platform that integrates three different existing methods for virtual experiments in the context of electronics and electricity. These methods include the Falstad simulator, a web service based SPICE simulator in electronics, and an attractive 3D visualization model with preliminary web interface called Videomodels. Based on this platform, we evaluated the representation and perception of each method. The main conclusion that could be drawn from our study was that the simple self-explaining interactive technique, obtained by the Falstad simulator, will be, at this time, the best model in a self-study environment. On the other hand, the attractive three dimensional representation of the Videomodels, seems to play an important role in motivating the students during the lessons but an improved graphical visualisation model and web interface seems to be required.
Touhafi, A, Braeken, A, Verbelen, Y & Gueuning, F 2012, 'Comparative Study of Electronics Visualisation Techniques for E-Learning', International Journal of Engineering Pedagogy, vol. 2, pp. 30-36. <http://online-journals.org/index.php/i-jep/index>
Touhafi, A., Braeken, A., Verbelen, Y., & Gueuning, F. (2012). Comparative Study of Electronics Visualisation Techniques for E-Learning. International Journal of Engineering Pedagogy, 2, 30-36. http://online-journals.org/index.php/i-jep/index
@article{8104a41dcdbc4bc38863f72fcdf3a38e,
title = "Comparative Study of Electronics Visualisation Techniques for E-Learning",
abstract = "We developed a learning platform that integrates three different existing methods for virtual experiments in the context of electronics and electricity. These methods include the Falstad simulator, a web service based SPICE simulator in electronics, and an attractive 3D visualization model with preliminary web interface called Videomodels. Based on this platform, we evaluated the representation and perception of each method. The main conclusion that could be drawn from our study was that the simple self-explaining interactive technique, obtained by the Falstad simulator, will be, at this time, the best model in a self-study environment. On the other hand, the attractive three dimensional representation of the Videomodels, seems to play an important role in motivating the students during the lessons but an improved graphical visualisation model and web interface seems to be required.",
keywords = "electronic learning, Integrated circuit modeling, video models",
author = "Abdellah Touhafi and An Braeken and Yannick Verbelen and Francis Gueuning",
year = "2012",
month = dec,
day = "1",
language = "English",
volume = "2",
pages = "30--36",
journal = "International Journal of Engineering Pedagogy",
issn = "2192-4880",
publisher = "International Association of Online Engineering",
}