Web-based remote learning of communication systems: a successful experience

International Journal of Electrical Engineering Education, Jul 2003 by Martín, Antonio J López

Abstract

A web-based on-line framework has been created to augment an undergraduate course in communication theory aimed at Spanish telecommunication engineering students. Its aim is to enrich the students' understanding on basic topics such as analogue and digital communication systems, information theory, random signals and noise, as well as to provide remote support, additional information and interactive tools. As an ultimate goal, it tries to contribute to a redefinition of the role of the student as the principal actor of his or her own learning.

Keywords communications; modulation; noise; random signals; WebCT

Traditional methods and resources in teaching activities such as board, slides, etc., if properly employed, constitute a valuable tool in the transmission of knowledge, motivation and encouragement of students in higher education. It is no less true that the tools available nowadays, thanks to the information and communication technologies, open an enormous field of potential teaching and learning opportunities that can efficiently complement these traditional procedures. To name but a few: interactivity, instantaneous access to edited materials, new ways of presentation of the course material with a more visual and intuitive approach (multimedia simulations, didactical games, etc.). The remote availability of this kind of resource acquires even more importance taking into account the flexibility (even at an international level) that should be present in the curricula of our students. As the introduction of these techniques is advisable in every discipline, it seems even more essential to those studies aimed at future electrical and computer engineers, so that they can start to assimilate the new technologies as an integral part of their learning experience.

The Spanish Public University of Navarra is relatively young (it was established in 1987) so that it has shown itself to be very dynamic at incorporating changes, and this new environment is no exception. In fact, in 2000 the Office of New Technologies and Educative Innovation was created, supporting faculty to promote initiatives in this field. One of the degrees offered to our students (since 1989) is telecommunication engineering. As in other Spanish universities, such a degree is traditionally close in concept to electrical engineering degrees in Anglo-Saxon countries, yet with notable differences. In particular, emphasis is put on signal and system theory, electronics, transmission media, computer architecture and networks, at the expense of topics closer to mechanical engineers, such as materials science and control theory, as detailed in Ref [I]. But obviously among the main subjects treated are communication systems, both analogue and digital. The inclusion of various mandatory courses covering such topics at the Public University of Navarra is an implicit recognition of the relevance of these topics to the engineer's background. Concerning this fundamental subject, the renovated curricula in telecommunications engineering at the Public University of Navarra now include a course entitled 'Communication Theory' and designed for juniors that covers the main aspects of analogue communications as well as the fundamental aspects of random signals and noise. The prerequisites are a junior course in linear systems and a mathematics background including Fourier transforms, statistics, and vector calculus. Digital communication systems are treated in a coordinated fashion in another simultaneous course.

The author being teacher of this course since 2000, and funded by the Office of New Technologies and Educative Innovation, he created a web framework based on WebCT software ( see Ref [2]). This framework provides a structured set of resources to the students as well as communication tools like chat, newsgroups and e-mail, aimed at complementing the course on communication theory and increasing the student's opportunities to access course materials and remote teacher support.

Course context

The course on communication theory at the Public University of Navarra, in which the aforementioned lab experiments are introduced, has a total of 60 contact hours assigned. The main topics treated are:

1 Linear modulations and frequency multiplexing;

2 Angular modulations;

3 Random signals and noise;

4 Analog pulse modulation;

5 PCM, digital baseband transmission and time multiplexing;

6 Information theory, coding, and cryptography.

As can be readily noticed, although many topics are studied, the main core of the course is analogue modulations and noise in communications systems, which are studied at length. When the student faces this course, he or she has already received a sound basis in signal and system theory (60 hours), statistics (60 hours), analogue and digital electronics (300 hours), as well as basic courses in mathematics and physics. On completion of the course, the student should have an adequate understanding on which modulation method best fits a certain application, how can it be generated and detected and how noise influences signal transmission.