NDLI: Overcoming the Limitations of Current Online Laboratory Systems Using Game-Based Virtual Environments

Content Provider	The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Digital Collection
Author	Chang, Yizhe Aziz, El-Sayed Sven, K. Esche Chassapis, Constantin
Copyright Year	2011
Abstract	Current online laboratory systems based on either remotely operated hardware or pure software simulations are often criticized for lacking experimental setup experience and for being limited to the data collection and result analysis aspects of traditional hands-on laboratories. One possible solution for overcoming these shortcomings is to use a multi-player computer game engine for implementing interactive laboratory environments. Taking advantage of game technology, the students are enabled to simultaneously interact with laboratory equipment in the virtual laboratory and to communicate with each other through voice or chat. In particular, assembling the experimental equipment before using it in some experimental procedure can become part of the laboratory exercise. In this article, a virtual gear design laboratory environment for a junior-level undergraduate mechanical engineering course on mechanisms and machine dynamics is presented. This virtual laboratory environment implemented using a multiplayer computer game engine provides the students with the flexibility to perform various experiments related to the concepts of the fundamental law of gearing and to planetary motion of gears. In this environment, the students can work in teams to interactively select and cooperatively assemble gear train components piece by piece into a more complex experimental apparatus. This article describes the assembly logic that is used to combine individual components into experimental setups as part of the experimental procedure in student laboratories. Furthermore, the game environment can be equipped with functionality for monitoring the students’ progress and learning outcomes, thus enabling skill-based assessment.
Starting Page	159
Ending Page	168
Page Count	10
File Format	PDF
ISBN	9780791854914
DOI	10.1115/IMECE2011-63743
Volume Number	Volume 5: Engineering Education and Professional Development
Conference Proceedings	ASME 2011 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition
Language	English
Publisher Date	2011-11-11
Publisher Place	Denver, Colorado, USA
Access Restriction	Subscribed
Subject Keyword	Computers Computer software Mechanical engineering Engines Design Gears Undergraduate students Gear trains Simulation Students Virtual reality Data collection Teams Hardware Engineering simulation Manufacturing Performance Machine dynamics
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article

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