McMaster Engineering students will experience the most dynamic and realistic virtual lab technology found in Canadian universities this fall, thanks to a partnership with Quanser, an engineering education technology company based in Markham, Ont.
Using digital twinning technology to replicate actual lab equipment in virtual form, students will be able to use software tools to experience real-life engineering experiments from home.
About a dozen lab-based courses will be virtualized for the fall, with a long-term strategy to upgrade more courses across all departments and levels of study.
The Faculty of Engineering has invested almost $1.5 million to support professors as they transition to virtual teaching. This includes creating virtual reality learning environments, kits for hands-on projects and studio spaces for recording lectures.
This curriculum transformation is part of The Pivot, a reimagined approach to teaching, learning and research in the undergraduate engineering experience at McMaster University. Fall 2020 will be the first semester that students are immersed in this new way of learning.