History
In 1995, Simpson approached Joe Koenig, President of Electronics Workbench (EWB), with the concept of integrating course material from Simpson’s Principles of Electronics textbook with laboratory simulation software developed by EWB. The Learning Management System was developed by Logic Design Inc which integrated the course material, multimedia and simulation software, and included real-time testing and assessment. At the time, there was considerable opposition among the electronics education community regarding the use of simulation software for the delivery of electronics curriculum. Many educators felt that a “hands on” methodology was the only valid method of learning electronics, and that simulation was a less-effective substitute.
Simpson and Koenig embarked on a series of lectures, conference presentations and meetings with accrediting organizations throughout 1996, where they demonstrated that electronics simulation software could achieve identical results to laboratory experiments performed with real equipment. In January, 1997 the program received approval and accreditation from the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities and was launched in April, 1997. In its first year, the program enrolled over 500 students from 17 countries, with over 30 companies sponsoring employees.
In 1998, the program received the Program Excellence Award, from the Association of Canadian Community Colleges, a consortium of 155 Colleges. It was the first time a distance education program had earned this award and was noted by ACCC President, Gerald Brown, as a “landmark achievement in the field of distance education”. In 2003, the program received a $1 million grant from the Government of Ontario for the development of a “virtual campus” to support students who were enrolled in 85 cities and towns throughout the province. The award was presented by TVOntario President, Isabel Bassett. In 2007, the program underwent a significant revision when the laboratory software simulation was changed to CircuitLogix, which included both 2D and 3D simulation. The simulation capability of the new simulation software allowed for further integration of course theory and lab and greatly enhanced the program’s virtual learning environment
In recent years, the program has expanded through partnerships between Colleges across North America, enabling the program to be supported in local areas. In addition to the accreditation offered by Colleges delivering the program, graduates are also eligible for certification by external accrediting organizations such as the Electronics Technicians Association and the International Society of Certified Engineering Technicians. Colleges who are part of this consortium include: Allegany College of Maryland, Allen County Community College, Anne Arundel Community College, Brooklyn College, Edison College, Hocking College, Horry-Georgetown Technical College, MiraCosta College, Mount Wachusett Community College, and Valencia Community College,.
Read more about this topic: Electronics Technician Distance Education Program
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