TY - JOUR
T1 - Design and application of a platform of wireless sensor and control network in robotics course of mechanical engineering technology
AU - Zhang, Zhou
AU - Zhang, Andy S.
AU - Zhang, Mingshao
AU - Esche, Sven
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 American Society for Engineering Education. All rights reserved.
PY - 2019
Y1 - 2019
N2 - Robotics is one form of interdisciplinary field which involves the tight integration of mechanical systems, electrical systems, computer systems, and information systems. However for students enrolled in the Engineering Technology programs, especially the Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) program to learn robotics, they are confronted with two difficulties: (1) limited number of fundamental robotics-related courses, (2) limited robotics course hours. In order to help the students of MET to overcome these two difficulties, a wireless sensor and control network (WSCN) platform is designed and employed. This platform has two advantages: affordable and foolproof. Therefore, students can avoid exposing themselves to complicated algorithms. They can focus on the applications of robotics to develop sophisticated projects. Before introducing WSCN,, the existing entry-level robotics course was redesigned based on the pre-class survey results and the assessment of the students' abilities. Subsequently, the students were instructed to familiarize themselves with the basic sensors and actuators, the Arduino development kit and the c-based programming. Then, the platform was implemented in the course. In addition, a series of homework and projects were assigned. Through these assignments, the students were able to design practical projects using the platform. It was proven that the platform enhanced the students' understanding of the fundamental concepts, inspired the students' interest in this course, and improved their performance in the robotics classes.
AB - Robotics is one form of interdisciplinary field which involves the tight integration of mechanical systems, electrical systems, computer systems, and information systems. However for students enrolled in the Engineering Technology programs, especially the Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) program to learn robotics, they are confronted with two difficulties: (1) limited number of fundamental robotics-related courses, (2) limited robotics course hours. In order to help the students of MET to overcome these two difficulties, a wireless sensor and control network (WSCN) platform is designed and employed. This platform has two advantages: affordable and foolproof. Therefore, students can avoid exposing themselves to complicated algorithms. They can focus on the applications of robotics to develop sophisticated projects. Before introducing WSCN,, the existing entry-level robotics course was redesigned based on the pre-class survey results and the assessment of the students' abilities. Subsequently, the students were instructed to familiarize themselves with the basic sensors and actuators, the Arduino development kit and the c-based programming. Then, the platform was implemented in the course. In addition, a series of homework and projects were assigned. Through these assignments, the students were able to design practical projects using the platform. It was proven that the platform enhanced the students' understanding of the fundamental concepts, inspired the students' interest in this course, and improved their performance in the robotics classes.
KW - Education
KW - MET
KW - Robotics
KW - WSCN
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M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85070538037
SN - 1069-3769
VL - 10
JO - Computers in Education Journal
JF - Computers in Education Journal
IS - 1
ER -