1. Virtual Hands-on Teaching
Keywords: Smart Grids, Power Systems, Computer Programs
Virtual Hands-on Teaching
Saeed Lotfifard
Assistant Professor
School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Washington State University

2. Why?
An efficient method to connect course materials to real-world applications is to show students how things are working in reality. However, in some fields, including power engineering, it is impossible to actually implement the experiments on real systems.
The objective of developing “Virtual Hands-on Teaching” is to provide student with real-world experience through virtual experiments by using computer programs.

3. When?
Since I started my career as an Assistant Professor in 2011, I have been using computer programs as an extracurricular tool for connecting course materials to real-world applications.
Recently, we have published a text book on implementation of power systems protection methods that includes many examples implemented in MATLAB software I plan to use these examples as an extra resource.

4. Where?
Before I join Washington State University, I was an assistant professor at University of Central Florida. I have used this computer programming-based method in both institutes.

5. What?
Examples based on real-world problems are developed and students are asked to implement them in computer programs such as MATLAB software. Then, students are asked to change the parameters of the system to see how different parameters influence the results. These modules help students to better understand the course topics.
I believe that an effective method for transforming knowledge to students is thorough actual implementation of the topics of courses. If actual implementation of problems is impossible, computer programs are efficient substitutes.
Once students implemented the assigned computer programs, they informed me that they understood the covered topics in the course much better and could follow the course topics much easer.

6. Prognosis?
Feedbacks from students is one of the main resource to check the impacts of the method.
I plan to develop more real-world examples.
I noticed some students lack enough computer programming skills. It was difficult for them to focus on main objectives of the assignments, which was the covered topics in the course. This was mainly because they were more focused on addressing the difficulties they faced in implementing the assignments on the computer program. This is a main challenge that I have faced in implementing this teaching method.
I hope other participants at FOEE suggest how the above mentioned challenge can be addressed. One possible solution could be using schematic models instead of using codes. I would like to know other possible approaches so that I can address the above mentioned challenge in most efficient way.