Java-Based Virtual Laboratory for Educational Purposes in Basic Electrical Engineering

In this work an interactive 2D virtual laboratory for basic electrical engineering based on the Java graphical user interface framework JavaFX is presented. The software is optimized to overcome the entry barriers of the laboratory environment. Therefore the focus is set on the virtualization of frequently used laboratory instruments as interactively and realistically as possible and teaching students how to use them. The content includes generally required skills and concepts like handling oscilloscopes, function generators, different multimeters and passive components as part of measurements in DC and AC circuits. Many different modes of the virtual lab, some including gamification elements, are designed to appeal to students with different levels of knowledge, practical experience and learning styles. Besides four completely virtual experiments from a real laboratory at the authors university, the program offers interactive tutorials for instruments, virtual colloquia, videos and a sandbox mode, where the user has no boundaries for instrument operation. The virtual laboratory was distributed as executable application for all students attending a practical course for basic electrical engineering at the authors university. A subsequent evaluation revealed that the usability of the program and the influence on targeted skills in the laboratory course is largely rated as positive and it fulfills the desired purpose of simplifying the entry into laboratory work.

I. Introduction

Building electrical circuits and handling basic laboratory equipment such as multimeters or oscilloscopes is a fundamental part of practical training for electrical engineers. This is typically done at the undergraduate level and represents the first independent interaction with electrical measurements and instrument for many students. The number of students without practical knowledge prior to university is at a high level and has been significantly exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result there are many students with inhibitions and insecurities regarding the practical courses at universities [1]. The latter has been also confirmed in a survey among undergraduate students who are about to take their first laboratory course at the authors university.