Integrating LabVIEW into Engineering Technology Curricula

Today’s global economy requires a rapid time-to-market, placing heavier demands on design, prototyping, testing. and production. Those demands have challenged scientists and engineers to master new tools in the form of computers and software. One software package that has provided the ability to merge the virtual and real worlds has been LabVIEW ® by National Instruments. This paper describes how LabVIEW ® is being integrated into the Engineering Technology (ET) and Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology (ECET) curricula at Western Carolina University in an attempt to address some of the challenges facing its graduates. Background objectives are presented along with descriptions and examples of activities for courses in automated systems, instrumentation, and engineering analysis at the undergraduate level along with implementation for a graduate level automation course. Background objectives are presented along with descriptions and examples of learning modules and applications. Instructional methods, student performance, and educational merit are also presented.