An Interactive Game-based Engineering Laboratory
Aziz, E.-S., Esche, S. K. & Chassapis, C.
World Transactions on Engineering and Technology Education, Vol. 8, No. 2, pp. 131-136, 2010.
Abstract
Environments enabled by advanced cyberinfrastructure tools are increasingly being used by scientists, engineers and educators for their research, education and training, career development as well as life-long learning.
Recently, virtual environments for instructional purposes have begun to be developed using multi-player computer game engines.
Most of these projects are still in the early stages of development and are focusing mainly on exploring the suitability of interactive games for remote user interaction, content distribution and collaborative activities.
A few other developments are aimed at utilizing computer game technology as a platform for the implementation of simulations for personnel training and educational laboratories.
After briefly reviewing some educational applications of computer games, this paper discusses an interactive engineering laboratory that was designed, implemented and piloted at Stevens Institute of Technology.
An overview of the system architecture, capabilities and functions is given.
Finally, a pilot implementation into a junior-level engineering course is described and the results of this study are summarized.