Web-Based Simulations in Virtual Labs

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MATLAB is well known software in the field of mathematics and engineering and it is often used for the calculation of complex simulations. MATLAB Software also provides a toolbox called MATLAB Web server which enables the creation of MATLAB applications that use the capabilities of the World Wide Web to send data to MATLAB for processing and to display the results in a standard Web browser.


Figure 3

Simulations are used to analyze complex systems. Through simulation one wants to understand the behavior or the structure of a real system. In learning environments the most important advantages of using simulations are:

  • Openness in operating with the simulation experiment
  • Simplifying the complexity of the simulated prototype
  • Cost-reducing for the equipment
  • Didactical aspects.

The instruction in electronic engineering has an increasing demand for Web-based training courses with interactivity. A Web-based approach to lab work and simulation is a key technology of modern e-learning technology.

Another kind of virtual Web based lab is EJS (Easy Java Simulation), a special tool designed for science educators and students. It provides a conceptual structure and simplified tools for Java programming. This allows concentrating mostly on the description of the model of the phenomenon which should be simulated. The JAVA-programming of the GUI is a graphical programming, the JAVA-programming of the simulation model combines JAVA code and mathematical descriptions (differential equations). The advantage of EJS is that it allows connecting the GUI’s and models developed with EJS with Simulation Software like Matlab, Simulink, and Dymola etc. [12].

NOTE: The teacher can use Easy Java Simulation for Phys&Sports” learning module to design the simulation together with the students. Any knowledge of programming is not required neither from teachers no from students.