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The resource modules on instrumentation and communication have numerous applications in industry and academia. In industry, the instrumentation RM can be used by the manufacturer, distributor, and user of the instruments. The communication RM can be a handy reference for engineers as they frequently deal with technical communication. However, this section describes applications of the resource modules in an academic environment.
First, the RMs are used as a supplement in the Engineering Measurements and the Technical Communication courses. The information contained in the modules, especially videos and commercial information, enhances student learning and understanding in a classroom. The relevant information can be displayed by an instructor and later used by students. The RMs also allow some of the material to be learned by students on their own through independent assignments. For example, in the Engineering Measurements course, the students were assigned to learn the subject of pyrometers on their own and to answer the questions on that topic. The students were able to find all the necessary information on their own. (Student feedback on such an assignment is given in the next section.) Similarly, students are now able to learn about many types of flow meters, which was not possible earlier in the measurements course, due to lack of time and resources.
Second, the RMs are used in the engineering laboratory. Measurements and report writing are inherent parts of almost all engineering laboratories. Students take laboratory courses from their first year to their last year; however, in many cases, they have yet to take a measurements or technical communication course. In such instances, an instructor can ask students to use the RMs to obtain the necessary information on specific instruments or report writing techniques. In other cases, when students have already taken or are currently taking measurements and technical communication courses, it was found [11] that students fail to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in one class to other areas or to subsequent classes. Under these circumstances, the use of the RMs in laboratories can prove beneficial. Presently, in some laboratories, instructions are given using hypermedia technology [12, 13]. In such cases, the RMs can easily be linked to the laboratory instruction module. Such linkages can save development time for future laboratory instruction, as the generic information on instrumentation and report writing can directly be accessed from the RMs.
Third, the RMs are used in the capstone design project course. This type of course is common at many universities, where senior students design and often fabricate devices and present their results orally and in report form. The RMs allow them to select the right type of instruments for their projects, if needed, and also help in preparing their reports and oral presentations.
Finally, the RMs can be used at other engineering colleges. The RMs have been designed to run from any MPC II compatible computer system. The RMs are placed on two CD-ROMs and can be easily distributed. Information contained in the RMs is generic and is applicable at other universities. Applications described earlier are common at most of the engineering schools; therefore, the RMs can be a useful tool in enriching engineering education.