SimPLE: Simulated Processes in a Learning Environment

The goal of SimPLE is to demonstrate a new approach to education and training that uses dynamic simulations and visualizations to represent realistic time-dependent equipment and process behavior. Potential users range from undergraduate/ graduate students to operators and practicing engineers. Our approach promotes an active hands-on learning experience. Users manipulate controls (e.g., open and close valves, turn pumps on and off) and then observe the results (e.g., change in pressure, temperature or silicon deposition). Users can also change the simulation parameters and observe changes in the behavior of the system. The simulator is coupled with tutorial material that provides background information about the system and exercises for the students to perform. When users become familar with the system simulated, they can switch to the underlying simulation component and study the simulation logic. We have started to develop a series of functional SimPLE modules for semiconductor manufacturing and civil engineering.

In addition we are exploring the concept of "learning histories": Learning histories will allow users to record summaries of their explorations, replay the history for review and reflection, mail portion of the history to fellow students or advisors, or edit and combine histories to create experiments.

Participants:

Research Papers and Presentations:

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