Session International Conference on Engineering Education August 18–21, 2002, Manchester, U.K. 1 COMPUTER SUPPORTED TEACHING IN THE THEORY OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING Prof. Ing. Zdenka Benešová, CSc. 1 Ing. Petr Kropík 2 Ing. Jan Teplý 3 1 Prof. Ing. Zdenka Benešová, CSc, FEL ZCU, sady Petatricátníku 14, 30614 Plzen, e-mail: : bene@kte.zcu.cz 2 Ing. Petr Kropík, FEL ZCU, sady Petatricátníku 14, 30614 Plzen, e-mail: : pkropik@kte.zcu.cz 3 Ing. Jan Teplý, FEL ZCU, sady Petatricátníku 14, 30614 Plzen, e-mail: : TEPLY4@kte.zcu.cz Abstract  The paper deals with the computer software system, which supports the teaching of the Theory of Electrical Engineering – TEE (it involves two disciplines – Circuits Theory and Theory of Electromagnetic Field). The study of the theoretical disciplines in the Electrical Engineering education requires a deep understanding of the physical fundamentals of electromagnetic phenomena and the behaviour of electric systems. The development of independent creative students’ activities and abilities to apply the obtained knowledge to the solving of simple technical problems represents a very important part of teaching. To achieve such experience students work out 2-3 term papers in each course. However, to set, check and evaluate these tasks is very time demanding for teachers. On this account, a computer software system was suggested and realised. This system enables settings, checkings and evaluations of term papers by means of computers which are connected to Internet. Our project is based on the WWW server Apache and the database server, which is realised by means of the mySQL system. The professional program package MATLAB with toolboxes MATLAB WEB server and MATLAB Database toolbox have been used. All these program packages run under LINUX operating system environment. Index Terms  Education of Electrical Engineering, MATLAB Web Server, usage of Internet in education INTRODUCTION The courses of Circuits Theory (CT) and Theory of Electromagnetic Field (TEMF) represent basic theoretical subjects concerning the studies of Electrical Engineering. The main features of teaching CT and TEMF are expressed as follows: • introduction of the fundamental concepts and qualities, the explanation of physical nature of electromagnetic phenomena and electric systems behaviour (formulation of the problem) • explanation of the basic laws with their mathematical formulation (mathematical model of the problem) • explanation of the methods used for solving of electrical problems including the physical interpretation and the discussion of the obtained results The classic way of teaching of these theoretical subjects requires good knowledge of mathematics and sufficient experience in different mathematical modifications. More attention is paid to analytical or numerical calculations than to the studying of properties and behaviour of the investigated systems. The basic disadvantage of the classic way not using computers is manifested in a multitude of routine activities, which are detrimental to the development of the engineer way of thinking. Less time is dedicated to the understanding of physical fundamentals of researching phenomena. Moreover, it is usually possible to solve the considerably simplified tasks that represent a rough approximation to the real technical problems. The usage of modern computers, networks, Internet and software can help to eliminate this problem. In paper [1], [2] and [3] the program of teaching CT and TEMF that reduces laborious mathematical calculations and replaces them by an interactive work with computers, which has features of an experimental activity, was suggested. The teaching CT and TEMF was supplemented by the usage of professional program packages such as PSpice, QuickField, etc. In this paper another manner of using computers will be described. The development of independent creative students´ activities and abilities to correctly analyse simple technical problems and apply the obtained knowledge to their solving represents a very important part of teaching CT and TEMF. In each course, to achieve such experience, students are to work out 2–3 term papers in which they are to solve simple technical tasks. Settings, checkings and evaluations are very time demanding for teachers. Moreover, students cannot discuss their problems and questions immediately. They have to wait until the next lesson. On this account, an interactive computer software system was suggested and realised. This system enables settings, checkings and evaluations of term papers by means of computers, which are connected to Internet.