INTEGRATION OF VIDEO , SIMULATION AND THE WORLD WIDE WEB

The University of Missouri-Rolla is charged with providing a statewide Master of Science program in Engineering Management. This program has been very popular with a broad spectrum of students and has been offered in the past at several locations within the state as well as other sites such as Saudi Arabia. The limitations associated with sending professors to these various sites triggered the offering of courses with video tapes, using one-way and two-way video telecommunications, sending out text, video and simulation materials on CD ROMs and various uses of the Internet from note distribution to live streaming video lectures. Each of these approaches contained some positive gains in reaching the remote audiences with the desired instructional materials, but they are not without flaw. After several semesters of experience using these various educational technologies, Dr. Ragsdell has started to integrate several into a more cohesive student-centered learning environment. During the spring 1999 semester a graduate level course in Quality Engineering was offered via one-way video to students at various locations across the state of Missouri. Extensive PowerPoint slides with brief video clips and synchronized text, animation, and graphics were placed on the web. A computer-based simulation of a catapult containing seven input variables was developed for class use over the summer and will be placed on the web for the spring of 2000. The catapult simulates a 30cm long wooden catapult and is based on an example given in the text used in the course. The simulation lets the user adjust the stop angle, pull back angle, cup position, rubber band tie point, rubber band stretch point, number of rubber bands used, and ball weight. This simulation lets students design and run experiments used to develop a “robust” catapult design. The catapult experiment is a good example of the proper selection of control factors in a process. The computer simulation allows the students to conduct these experiments without making a toy catapult or needing lots of space. The computer model takes into consideration the physical properties of the wood arm, cup, etc. to best emulate the operation of a real catapult. A similar combination of technologies was used during the fall 1999 for a second undergraduate/graduate level course in Total Quality Management. In this course, most of the materials, including four separate computer-based simulators, were placed on two CD-ROMS for use as laboratory exercises to complement the normal lectures. These simulations, which were developed with the ToolBook authoring system, have also been tested on the web and work well with the Neuron plug-in. However, the latest versions of ToolBook hold considerable promise for exporting these simulations directly to the web without the need of a plug-in. The student response to the availability of an integrated system of technologies has been largely positive and the extent and depth of coverage of the subject materials has been greatly enhanced. The expectations of the remote student now meets and often exceeds that of the resident student and delays in the delivery mechanisms or flaws in the courseware are less likely to be tolerated.