Customer Reviews

Virtual Labs: Electricity

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I like the simulation aspect of this software. However, its claim to include "40 reproducible lab worksheets" is extremely misleading. I could not find them. When I contacted the makers of the software, they responded by directing me to the "labs" button. The "labs" button gives access to some 40 printable lab schematics. I was expecting a printable worksheet for each lab giving instructions and asking some exploratory questions for the student to answer. There are no instructions on how to use the labs that I could find, nor are there any reproducible worksheets as most people would understand the term "worksheets". This program is probably OK if you are knowledgeable and don't mind verbally leading a student through various "virtual" experiments or making up your own worksheets.

I used this software to teach basic (DC) electrical science to grown up field maintenance personnel working on large wind turbines who wanted to become repair technicians. The variety and complexity of the examples and exercises is enough to keep the teacher and the students busy for several days of class. The graphics are excellent (students can see the circuits in physical or schematic form) and the simulations are very entertaining (bulbs that pop and resistors that burn if the student exceeds their specifications, for instance). In addition, the possibility of using multiple measuring instruments (voltmeters, ammeters and ohmmeters) and the repeatability of the experiments make for a great learning tool that encourages students' participation and motivate them to make changes to the circuits ("what if...")

In addition, the software comes with plenty of written explanations, not only of the experiments, but also of the general theory of electrical science. The experiments and circuits built by the students can also be saved or printed. Because of all this, I strongly recommend this software to anyone who needs to teach basic (DC) electrical science to others or learn it on his/her own. In fact the only negative thing about this application is that is lacks an alternating current (AC) sequel to continue the learning progression.