--- title: "E-Learning Simulation Web-Based Tool for a Virtual Labs" url: "https://maker.wiznet.io/siva_ranjeet/projects/e-learning-simulation-web-based-tool-for-a-virtual-labs/" markdown_url: "https://maker.wiznet.io/siva_ranjeet/projects/e-learning-simulation-web-based-tool-for-a-virtual-labs/md" type: "UCC: User Created Content" author: "Tamer Nassef,Ashraf Aboshosha,Ayman Hagg, Sameh" author_url: "https://www.researchgate.net/publication/345775698_An_Efficient_E-Learning_Simulation_Web-Based_Tool" editor: "WIZnet" editor_url: "https://maker.wiznet.io/" original_author: "Tamer Nassef,Ashraf Aboshosha,Ayman Hagg, Sameh" original_url: "https://www.researchgate.net/publication/345775698_An_Efficient_E-Learning_Simulation_Web-Based_Tool" published: "2022-08-30" language: "en" hardware: ["Arduino Ethernet Shield", "DFRobot Gravity: Analog LM35 Temperature Sensor For Arduino"] likes: 4 views: 1246 comments: 0 source: "WIZnet Makers (https://maker.wiznet.io/)" --- # E-Learning Simulation Web-Based Tool for a Virtual Labs > An efficient e-learning simulation web based tool for a virtual lab for electronics measurements using labVIEW for distance learners. Original author: Tamer Nassef,Ashraf Aboshosha,Ayman Hagg, Sameh (source: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/345775698_An_Efficient_E-Learning_Simulation_Web-Based_Tool) ## Components - **Arduino Ethernet Shield** x 1 ([docs](https://docs.arduino.cc/retired/shields/arduino-ethernet-shield-without-poe-module)) - **DFRobot Gravity: Analog LM35 Temperature Sensor For Arduino** x 1 ([docs](https://image.dfrobot.com/image/data/DFR0023/DFR0023_Datasheet.pdf)) - Software: **Arduino IDE** ([docs](https://www.arduino.cc/en/software)) - Software: **LabView** - Software: **Cisco Packet Tracer** - Software: **GENIE Circuit Wizard** ## Article #### INTRODUCTION The continuous evolvement of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) brought new applications to technical training. The use of ICT can minimize the time and cost limitations in gaining practical skills. Learning in a virtual laboratory minimizes teachers' concerns regarding time, expenses, or hazards as a result of choosing improper, ineffective, or possibly harmful experimental approaches. The use of ICT offers higher student-to-component interaction and perception. Learning in a virtual lab enables more data to be obtained. There is a prevalent issue nowadays that learners of science and engineering lack the professional understanding and abilities of interaction with parts and devices. Students lack the capacity to exercise and obtain data regarding the theoretical and research methods. Among some technical colleges, these issues are becoming more prominent. The e-learning environment is seen as a significant resource for helping ancient traditional formats of learning and transforming the nature of education. Laboratory environment relates to the laboratory that colleges and educational organizations are building for student teaching. The classroom lab is a significant component of the setting of teaching and learning. It provides students with useful, safe and intuitive place to do scientific experiments. The experiment can trigger interest in learning, experience the fun of exploration, enhance current knowledge framework and enhance operational, diagnostic, analytical, design and innovation capabilities. E-learning is one of the most significant learning techniques in the future, so there are many studies showing the significance of e-learning and the most significant studies in this sector or implementation will be discussed here. Abdullah Alhabeeba et al addressed the notion of e-learning, explaining the mechanisms of e-learning and explaining the distinction between traditional techniques of learning and e-learning. M. Travassos Valdez et al addressed one of the key educational instruments in the future, i.e. 3D Virtual Labs, and designed a plan for Electrical Engineering lessons that aims to train learners to meet competitive difficulties. Fuan Wen et al addressed the notion of Experimental Enhanced Educational Environment (4E) and clarified the benefit of the 4E, which brings together the theoretical survey, experimental operation, cooperation, communication and social exercise to the person who is the subject of the research. It also enables education to open a true application at a reduced price and enables learners to adapt more efficiently to the future development. The purpose of this paper is to develop virtual tools to train student for practical applications and experiment with measuring tools such as voltmeters and data acquisition systems. The design of the virtual lab is based on the LabVIEW program to provide learners with a distinctive manner of providing the e-learning environment with higher interaction between them and devices. The contribution of this research is that we focus on safe learning at a lower-cost in technical schools and the use of professional software programs like LabVIEW, Team Viewer, and Circuit Wizard for two purposes in these studies: the first is safe learning in the electronic laboratory and the second is to effectively train students through a proposed mechanism for practical implementation using a. Figure 1 indicates the front panel of our proposed system. The student can also compare two outputs: the first is the outcome of the actual scheme, and the second is the virtual signal, the pure sine wave that can be regulated by frequency, amplitude, and phase. It can also send and obtain information from the teacher to the student. The teacher can see and follow up on what the learners are doing, so the teacher can better regulate the classroom. ![](https://maker.wiznet.io/upload/ckeditor5/744587611%5F1661893605%2Epng) LabVIEW programming is used in the proposed method because of its simplicity and the ease of use; also it includes many items such as terminals, constants, structures, features and sub-VIS (sub-virtual instruments). LabVIEW enables users to design their applications by dragging and dropping these items onto a diagram and linking them through cables. All terminals in the block diagram are shown in the front panel window (the virtual instrument's graphical user interface), which act as input or output of information. LabVIEW utilizes different protocols like TCP/IP, socket data, etc. To transfer data between students and teachers, Ethernet module with the TCP/IP protocol and Team Viewer software are also used to transfer data and signals between computers of the students and teacher. #### THE PROPOSED METHODOLOGY The virtual lab system design is divided into two components. The software is the first component in LabVIEW and LAN Network, and it designs and simulates Cisco Packet tracer and the student can test circuits in the circuit wizard software and can also transfer the test outcome using the Team Viewer software. The second component is the Arduino, Ethernet, Current Sensor and Temperature Sensor LM35 hardware. Using the circuit wizard software, all of these components can be removed because it can simply simulate the circuit in the software without any cost or danger. The proposed method block diagram is shown in figure 2, and the LAN network simulation is shown in figures 3 and 4. Figure 5, shows the flow chart of the proposed synchronized data manipulation mechanism. ![](https://maker.wiznet.io/upload/ckeditor5/744587611%5F1661893780%2Epng) ![](https://maker.wiznet.io/upload/ckeditor5/744587611%5F1661893848%2Epng) #### Software The system design is split into two components: LabVIEW software is the first component. We will design a system that can be used on the student's and teacher's desktop to simulate the Voltmeter and information acquisition systems. We will design a unique program that will be able to link the laptop of the teacher and the computer of the student using TCP/IP. The second aspect is the LAN network designing and simulating using Cisco Packet tracer. ![](https://maker.wiznet.io/upload/ckeditor5/744587611%5F1661893944%2Epng) **LabVIEW Software** We must first pick the component, structures and operate to design the block diagram of the proposed method. Second, we connect them via cables, and this is a significant move. We select Analog Read Pin block to read Arduino's analog signal input and select pin (A0). The analog signal input block diagram is shown in Figure 5. ![](https://maker.wiznet.io/upload/ckeditor5/744587611%5F1661894006%2Epng) The Wave chart is used to display the element test outcome. We use the Simulate Signal feature to produce a sine wave or any wavy shape. Figure 6 shows it. Design the data transfer program using TCP/IP protocols. We design a program on the master computer to send the information through a port, but on the client computer you need to pick this port. Select the byte of information to read, as shown in figure 7. We design a program for receiving the information on the client computer. The program requests the information again in the event of a communication issue. Figure 8 shows the block diagram. ![](https://maker.wiznet.io/upload/ckeditor5/744587611%5F1661894090%2Epng) **Cisco Packet Tracer Software:** It is very essential to simulate the network, so we will design a visual simulation to generate network topologies and imitate contemporary computer networks. The software enables users to use a simulated command line interface to simulate the setup of Cisco routers and switches. Packet Tracer uses a graphical user interface to drag and drop and enables users to add and remove simulated network devices as they see fit. Figure 9 shows the simulation scheme. ![](https://maker.wiznet.io/upload/ckeditor5/744587611%5F1661894137%2Epng) **Circuit Wizard Software** This program is used to simulate electronic components and measuring instruments, as simulating the behavior of a circuit before it is actually built can significantly enhance the effectiveness of the design by creating effective models and offering insight into the behavior of electronic circuit models. For integrated circuits, the tooling (photomasks) is particularly expensive, breadboards are impractical, and internal signal behavior is extremely difficult. Therefore, almost all IC designs rely heavily on the simulation. SPICE is the most common simulator of analog circuits. Those based on Verilog and VHDL are probably the best established digital simulators. ![](https://maker.wiznet.io/upload/ckeditor5/744587611%5F1661894186%2Epng) ![](https://maker.wiznet.io/upload/ckeditor5/744587611%5F1661894205%2Epng) #### Hardware The primary parts of the system are the Arduino and Ethernet modules. The Arduino is the system's brain, which is used to transform signals between the PC and the Ethernet module. The Arduino is used to read analog signals from LM35 and make some functions to view the signal wave on a wave graph in the front panel. The Ethernet module is used to transfer data between the master computer (teacher) and the client computer (student), and you can store file on a micro-SD card. **Arduino UNO** The Arduino Uno is an ATmega328 based microcontroller board. It has 14 digital input/output pins (including 6 as PWM outputs), 6 analog inputs, a 16 MHz crystal oscillator, a USB connection, a power jack, an ICSP header, and a reset button. It contains everything needed to support the microcontroller and simply connecting it to a computer with a USB cable or power it with an AC-to-DC adapter or a battery to get started. This is shown in figure (12). **Ethernet Shield** The Arduino Ethernet Shield enables an internet connection to the Arduino board. It is based on the Ethernet chip Wiznet W5100. The Wiznet W5100 offers a TCP and UDP network (IP) stack. It supports up to four connections simultaneously to the socket. Use the Ethernet library to create designs that use the shield to link to the internet. The Ethernet shield uses lengthy wire-wrap headers that extend through the shield to connect to an Arduino board. This keeps the layout of the pin intact and enables stacking on top of another shield. The shield's recent revision provides a micro-SD card slot that can be used to store files for network service. It is compatible with Arduino Duemilanove and Mega (using Arduino 0019's Ethernet library). A normal RJ45 Ethernet jack is provided by the shield. **COLL** It flashes when network collisions are detected. The solder jumper marked "INT" can be linked to enable the Arduino panel to obtain interrupt-driven event notifications from the W5100, but the Ethernet library does not support this. The jumper connects the W5100's INT pin to the Arduino's digital pin 2. **LM35 Precision Centigrade Temperature Sensors ** The LM35 series are precise integrated circuit temperature instruments with a voltage output linearly proportional to the temperature in Centigrade. The LM35 device has a benefit over Kelvin-calibrated linear temperature sensors, as the user does not need to remove a big constant voltage from the output to achieve convenient Centigrade scaling. To provide typical accuracies of ±1⁄4 °C at room temperature and ±3⁄4 °C, over a full −55 °C to 150 °C temperature range, the LM35 instrument does not involve any internal calibration or trimming. Cutting and calibration at water level ensures lower costs. The LM35 device's low-output impedance, linear yield, and accurate intrinsic calibration that makes interfacing particularly simple to read or control the circuitry. The unit can be used with single or plus power supplies and minus supplies. As the LM35 device draws only 60 μA from the supply, it has very low self-heating of less than 0.1 °C in still air. The LM35 device is rated to operate over a −55 °C to 150 °C temperature range, while the LM35C device is rated for a −40 °C to 110 °C range (−10 °C with improved accuracy). The LM35-series devices are available in hermetic to transistor package, while the LM35C, LM35CA, and LM35D devices are available in the plastic TO-92 transistor package. The LM35D device is available in an 8- lead surface-mount small-outline package and a plastic TO-220 package. #### RESULTS AND DISCUSSION **Data Acquisition Systems** The system can be used to evaluate the voltage quantity of any component as voltmeter and data acquisition schemes. You can choose from two alternatives: Volt is the first choice and Kilo Volt is the second alternative. Figures 16 and 17 show the block diagram. ![](https://maker.wiznet.io/upload/ckeditor5/744587611%5F1661894496%2Epng) **E-learning System ** Throughout this research, we introduced the survey to 5 classes at Helwan University and the Arab Administrative Development Organization using their e-learning programs; MOODLE, QUIZLET and Google CLASSROOM. The students' favorable reaction promotes us to proceed later where immediate follow-up reaches more than 90% and students' satisfaction exceeds 92%. Figure 19 demonstrates these programs in a snapshot. ![](https://maker.wiznet.io/upload/ckeditor5/744587611%5F1661894555%2Epng) **Evaluation of the Proposed System ** After practical implementation and experimentation of our proposed method with students, we found that our proposed system has the following benefits. Experiments can be tailored to the needs of the student and experiments can be reproduced easily. It is possible to set up simulations for more variable than practical tests. Simulations can provide in fact unobservable experimental situations. Current tests can be too complicated and/or costly. Actual experiments can be too dangerous. Learning doesn't depend on a specific time and place. The hypermedia structure supports the exploration of the learning content. The learning materials can be adapted in the learning environment to the needs of the learner. Table 1 shows a comparison of features of Moodle-based tools and their effect in facilitating remote learning and assessment of students during the COVID-19 lockdown period. ![](https://maker.wiznet.io/upload/ckeditor5/744587611%5F1661894614%2Epng) #### CONCLUSION AND FUTURE SCOPE The research primary purpose is to use our proposed system in classrooms. Learning in the setting of virtual laboratories or e-learning offers higher interaction with elements. The new technology enables the job to be carried out without influencing the outcome quality. Virtual lab education offers higher efficiency in teaching and learning procedures at a greater level. A desirable scenario will have courses and/or curricular units given in the distance learning mode, allowing the students to access the practical laboratory work from home or from work. Statistical analysis and evaluation results showed the feasibility of our proposed method in delivering remote educational and learning experience that is superior to traditional methods without the risk of direct interactions and possible infections due to direct contacts where immediate follow-up reaches more than 90% and students' satisfaction exceeds 92%. --- Source: https://maker.wiznet.io/siva_ranjeet/projects/e-learning-simulation-web-based-tool-for-a-virtual-labs/