Online Undergraduate Laboratories in Electrical Engineering

This innovative practice paper describes the development of online undergraduate laboratories in electrical engineering as a work in progress. Our goal is to create electrical engineering labs for the online program that are equivalent to on-campus labs. Equivalence implies that labs support the same cognitive and affective learning outcomes for both on-campus and online students. We addressed this challenge by implementing labs that fall into three specific categories: (1) labs which have a hands-on component that was realized in the online program using student-owned hardware, (2) labs which involve a simulation experience or are supported by virtual reality environments and (3) virtual laboratories that allow remote access to high-value equipment using freely available web conferencing tools. Assessment data based on Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) student performance criteria and student course feedback confirm that the laboratories are effective and well-received by students.