Evaluation of a Suite of Interactive Modeling Controls Rapid Prototyping and Embedded System E-Book Modules

Evaluation of a Suite of Interactive Modeling Controls Rapid Prototyping and Embedded System E-Book Modules Evaluation of a Suite of Interactive Modeling, Controls, Rapid Prototyping, and Embedded System E-Book Modules To address multidisciplinary curricular needs in Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering, and Mathematics we propose to fully develop a Platform Independent Interactive Systems and Controls E-book (http://www.eas.asu.edu/~aar/ebook/) consisting of modules that target core undergraduate controls classes, support other controls curriculum-related classes such as differential equations, linear algebra, signals and systems, microprocessors, senior design. The team has developed a prototype ebook (-ebook) that has been classroom tested at ASU and collaborating universities. It addresses modeling, simulation, analysis, control design, rapid prototyping of real-time algorithms via high-level development tools, validation, verification, testing, and deployment of embedded systems. Extensive site testing suggests enthusiastic acceptance and enhanced learning. With a new approach, traditional and new cross-disciplinary content, the following make the prototype/proposed ebook unique: Multidisciplinary curricular integration is achieved via case studies that are revisited in greater depth as students progress through modules and through the curriculum; Theory and practice are bridged by starting with simple models and objectives and progressively increasing complexity so that students understand how realistic design problems can be approximated by simpler ones; this progression culminates in capstone projects (e.g. building a small robotic vehicle); Student learning is enhanced via various constructs (partially) demonstrated within the prototype: - interactive modeling/simulation in MATLAB with (video game quality) 3D animation and sound - comprehensive problems with guided interactive instruction help students connect concepts - interactive problems containing real-time solution / design submission grading, guidance, and assessment components provide feedback to the student and to the professor, - multimedia topical lectures exploit animation, graphs, audio, and video to convey complex ideas. Together, these provide a highly enriched and exciting interactive learning experience - ideal for: conveying fundamental/advanced concepts, asynchronous/self-paced learning (e.g. needed by working students), and serving students with different learning styles (e.g. kinesthetic, visual, audio). Based on extensive site testing, funds are requested to further develop/add/integrate additional (primary) components that have been partially demonstrated within the prototype: detailed case studies from many disciplines (e.g. biology, social-ecology, chemical, adaptive optics), guided comprehensive problems that require/involve the threading of many concepts, interactive submission problems that give real-time feedback to students, short interactive multimedia topical lectures, 3D (game quality) animation environments, and laboratory assignments. Secondary features to be added address integration, navigation, class monitoring/assessment, extensibility, and platform independence. Multiple university test sites, other university partners, and industrial partners will contribute. A comprehensive development, evaluation, assessment, and dissemination plan is described within the proposal. The above technological/pedagogical innovations, together with planned forward-looking controls applications (e.g. hypersonic vehicles, global warming, renewable energy, resource management, cellular bio-chemistry, medical robotics, robotic exploration, epileptic dynamics), provide a timely student-centered transformative framework for enhancing systems and controls education