A "virtual learning engine" for electrical engineering education

Making the conceptual change from electricity as electrons moving in wires under the influence of voltage to electromagnetic energy embracing light and radio waves, using a mathematical learning sequence, has proven to be difficult for learners over the years. A "virtual learning engine" has been created to help begin this conceptual change in students' understanding of electricity by supporting the mathematical sequence with interactive action learning exercises and real world experimental observations. Development of the "virtual learning engine" is informed by current educational research and motivated primarily by the thrust into online education. Extensive consideration and assessment of learner desires led to clear goals and objectives providing a rigid framework for the "virtual learning engine" development. However, a flexible specification enabled creative input from both the academic and the software engineer. The result is an educationally sound flexible learning resource suitable for use by both on-campus and off-campus students.