Mobile App Helps Students Interact With Equipment In Real Laboratories

Mobile apps have proven essentially successful tools in the world of medical science. However, many laboratory instructors are limited to using their mobile devices alone for a virtual laboratory experience or simulated experiment.

Researchers at NYU Polytechnic School of Engineering have now developed a series of mobile applications that allow students to remotely interact with real data and equipment in real laboratories.

With the help of different hardware and software setups, along with varying section criteria, researchers used a number of test beds to study feedback control of the experiment and wireless communication using iDevices such as iPod, iPhone 5 and iPad.

Students who received formal training in the Automatic Control Laboratory course found that mobile devices helped them adjust their controls and reference values easier instead of moving from test bed to computer to record and analyze the information. Instead, students became immersed in the experiment itself when using the convenient portable devices.

Furthermore, students no longer encountered difficulties using the applications, whether they had knowledge of the controller or not.

By allowing multiple students to simultaneously connect to the experiment, the apps afforded deeper engagement and learning for even on site students.

More information regarding the findings can be seen via IEEE Control Systemsmagazine.

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