Electricians learn in cyberspace

Electronic engineering students may soon be learning the tools of their trade in cyberspace, thanks to a researcher at the University of Portsmouth. Ifeyinwa Chika is creating a program that will replace an entire electronics workbench with an online or 'virtual' laboratory learning environment. It will allow students to construct and simulate electronic circuits in a realistic and convincing way. Students can log on to any computer with an internet connection to access the software.

Ifeyinwa, who is studying a PhD, said that the program will especially benefit students in countries where large class sizes and inadequate funding means they don't always have access to equipment. “This tool means students will have an electronics workbench at their fingertips,” she said, “the only difference is that it will be on a computer. It will help them grasp the fundamental concepts of electronics.”

Research has demonstrated that virtual learning results in the same level of learning as physical learning and prepares students for working with real components. The program will incorporate an assessment tool that uses artificial intelligence to check and monitor students' work. Every action the student takes on screen will be tracked and recorded and will be used to assess students' performance. The aim of this 'virtual examiner' is to reduce workload and help lecturers give students a fair and consistent assessment of their laboratory work.

“One of the advantages is that students will be assessed on a level playing field,” said Ifeyinwa. “It avoids the pitfalls of using people to assess students' work such as marking the laboratory reports of over 300 students.”

Ifeyinwa is part of the department of Electronic and Computer Engineering. She is being sponsored by Schlumberger, a multinational oilfield services provider, under its 'Faculty for the Future' programme aimed at encouraging women in science and technology in their pursuit of academic excellence.

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