Web-Based Simulations in Virtual Labs

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.
![Example of Matlab Web server architecture [17] Figure 3](Figure_3.jpg)
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.