EXCEL-LENT Technological Tool for Enhancement of Quality Learning in Network Analysis

Research Paper
Author: Dattaraj Vidyasagar

International Conference on Applications of Advanced Technology for Enhancing Quality of Science Education at Modern College of Arts, Science & Commerce, Shivaji Nagar, Pune (India)

26-27 Feb, 2015

The research paper of Vidyasagar Sir (our expert faculty), (EXCEL-LENT Technological Tool for Enhancement of Quality Learning in Network Analysis) published in International Conference on Application of Advanced Technology for Enhancing Quality of Science Education (AATEQSE). The conference was organised by Modern College of Arts, Science & Commerce College in Pune on 26 & 27 February 2015.

Abstract

Present student generation is a “Digital Generation”. Technology and related tools are available to preschoolers immediately and without any struggle. So teachers teaching to this generation needs also to be an expert in using and applying this available technology to the present model of teaching curriculum.

This paper presents an idea of how one can develop teaching & learning aids useful for teachers as well as students of “Analog Electronics & Physics” with the help of readily and most commonly available softwares on PCs. One must use the available technology to its full extent & with its complete functionality. As an example, here we are illustrating the use of EXCEL to learn Network Analysis. This includes verification of Ohm’s law, Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law (KVL) and Kirchhoff’s Current Law (KCL), Maximum Power Transfer Theorem, Thevenin’s and Norton’s Theorems.

Laws of Resistances and Capacitances in Series and Parallel can also be studied and easily verified using this tool. Conversion of T to π and π to T network of resistances can also be carried out very comfortably, efficiently and conveniently with the help of this tool.

The extensive use of various functions available in various categories in EXCEL is made to obtain these results. A simple menu driven interface has been designed using hyperlinks. This was demonstrated to teachers and students studying Electronics and Physics at +2 levels & above studying in Science stream.

This has been proved to be an excellent teaching aid for innovative class room teaching. This idea can be used as a learning material for open source learning and distance learning. This tool also can be used to generate a bank of variety of questions and their model answers related to the topic of Network analysis. This is the sequel of my earlier paper titled “EXCEL DIGI LAB” published in IEEE March, 2012 issue.

Keywords: Virtual Laboratory, Open source learning material, Effective tool for class room teaching, Analog Electronics, Network Analysis, KVL, KCL, Ohm’s law, Functions in EXCEL, Using EXCEL for learning.