The Rensselaer Learning Continuum

Pre-College

Undergraduate

Professional-Ed

Grad & Research

Lifelong Learning

Commercialization

Educational Materials Development

Computers are now an integral part of our day-to-day regime and prevalent in all aspects of our society. Yet with all this available technology, we have only begun to scratch the surface of how we may harness the influence and power of the microprocessor. The development and use of engaging interactive electronic media that simultaneously stimulate multiple senses will revolutionize the way in which knowledge is garnered and technology is utilized at all levels - from young child to life long learner. We believe this revolution will be significantly accelerated by widely distributing highly interactive, information rich multimedia such as the Academy of Electronic Media (the Academy) produces. The purpose of this effort is to give Rensselaer the ability to further produce the types of educational materials that have garnered global recognition, with a specific focus on microelectronics/semiconductor design and manufacturing.

Proposed Materials: (Please note that these modules are being developed using Macromedia's Director and require the Shockwave plug-in)

• Interactive design tools and tutorial units for functional and physical design of electronic circuits/circuit boards are integrated with handbooks and libraries to provide the necessary background to understand the technical and managerial issues associated with the development of electronic products. For example: Electronic Filter Design (http://www.academy.rpi.edu/html/tinker.html)
• Interactive simulation modules that take special advantage of the multimedia environment and involve the user in the decision-making and design processes. These modules use real life examples to demonstrate principles and practices in Semiconductor Designa and Manufacturing. Using innovative templates in designing courseware, simulations allow students to discover laws and principles as they "experiment." These modules are utilized to foster a new model in which learners are guided toward the discovery of laws and principles. For example: Operational Amplifier Theory (http://www.academy.rpi.edu/html/guide.html)
• Multimedia case studies of product development, management, and manufacturing will be developed to explain and analyze the principles which affect decisions for microelectronics manufacturing. A semiconductor electronics manufacturing line will bring the factory to the user, illustrating principles of fabrication, assembly, joining and quality testing. Video of a real factory will be combined with simulations and animations. (http://www.academy.rpi.edu/html/module/index.html)
• A Virtual Tour of RPI’s Microfabrication Clean Room will allow users to explore CIEEM's R&D equipment and facilities. (http://www.academy.rpi.edu/Testbed/CleanRoomWEB/CleanRoom.html)

Six 400MHz Pentium II Workstations and 21" Monitors