Introducing Feedback Control to First Year Engineering Students Using LabVIEW

This paper discusses the introduction of basic feedback control concepts and applications specifically selected for first year engineering & applied science students. These activities are introduced in the second half of a first semester class that is part of a sequence of first and second year courses used to develop a strong foundation for programs in various engineering disciplines. This sequence of courses uses a Multidisciplinary Engineering Foundation Spiral¹ in the form of a four-semester sequence of engineering courses, matched closely with the development of students’ mathematical sophistication and analytical capabilities and integrated with coursework in the sciences. 1 . M. Collura, et al, “Development of a Multidisciplinary Engineering Foundation Spiral”, Educational Research & Method s - Session 2630 , Proceedings of the 2004 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition