Component-Based Tools for Educational Simulations

e-Learning is an effective medium for delivering knowledge and skills. In spite of improvements in electronic delivery technologies, e-Learning is still a long way away from offering anything close to efficient and effective learning environments. To improve e-Learning experiences, much literature supports simulation based e-Learning. This thesis begins identifying various types of simulation models and their features that induce experiential learning. We focus on designing and constructing an easy-to-use Discrete Event Simulation (DES) tool for building engaging and informative interactive DES models that allow learners to control the models’ parameters and visualizations through runtime interactions. DES has long been used to support analysis and design of complex systems but its potential to enhance learning has not yet been fully utilized. We first present an application framework and its resulting classes for better structuring DES models. However, importing relevant classes, establishing relationships between their objects and representing lifecycles of various types of active objects in a language that does not support concurrency demand a significant cognitive workload. To improve this situation, we utilize two design patterns to ease model structuring and logic representation (both in time and space) through a drag and drop component approach. The patterns are the Delegation Event Model, used for linking between components and delegating tasks of executing and updating active objects’ lifecycles, and the MVC (Model-View-Controller) pattern, used for connecting the components to their graphical instrumentations and GUIs. Components implementing both design patterns support the process-oriented approach, can easily be tailored to store model states and visualizations, and can be extended to design higher level models through hierarchical simulation development. Evaluating this approach with both teachers and learners using ActionScript as an implementation language in the Flash environment shows that the resulting components not only help model designers with few programming skills to construct DES models, but they also allow learners to conduct various experiments through interactive GUIs and observe the impact of changes to model behaviour through a range of engaging visualizations. Such interactions can motivate learners and make their learning an enjoyable experience

MODELISATION ET SIMULATION DE L'INTRODUCTION DE TECHNOLOGIES RFID DANS DES SYSTEMES DE CONFIGURATION A LA DEMANDE

L'IDentification par Radio-Fréquences (RFID) permet une identification rapide et efficace des objets. Dans les systèmes de personnalisation de masse, elle promet un apport considérable grâce à sa capacité à gérer des flux d'information complexes caractérisant ce type de systèmes.Dans cette thèse, nous étudions les impacts de la RFID sur les systèmes de configuration à la demande (CTO). Nous nous basons sur un cas réel pour apporter une mesure fiable et directement exploitable. La littérature à ce sujet offre souvent des mesures sommaires, théoriques ou qualitatives, d'où l'originalité de la thèse.L'étude est réalisée par une approche de simulation à évènements discrets et évalue l'apport des technologies RFID à deux niveaux. Le premier concerne des changements directs du système (e.g. accélération des maintes vérifications caractérisant la CTO, libération de ressources...). Ces changements influencent la performance du système en termes de temps de séjour, de taux de retard des commandes, etc. Le deuxième niveau concerne des changements profonds tirant profit d'une visibilité accrue des produits et de la facilité d'une collecte de données rigoureuse. Ces changements se focalisent sur l'allocation dynamique de la charge de travail. La remise en question des processus à l'occasion de l'introduction d'une technologie RFID constitue un point original en raison du manque de publications soulignantsuffisamment cet avantage.Nos expérimentations ont montré que les apports des technologies RFID dans un système CTO sont indéniables. De plus, repenser le fonctionnement du système afin d'exploiter plus profondément le potentiel de la technologie accroit les bénéfices.Radio Frequency IDentification allows quick and secure identification of objects. In mass customisation systems, RFID technologies can be peculiarly efficient, because they are able to support the complex flows of information which characterize these systems.In this study, we focus on RFID technologies effects on configuration to order (CTO) systems.We base the research on an existing case in order to obtain reliable information directly usable by decision makers. The rarity of studies offering quantitative, detailed and real case based measures makes the originality of this thesis.RFID technology implementation's effect is analysed by a discrete event simulation approach and is presented in two levels:The first level relates direct changes brought about by RFID (e.g. faster execution of the many checks due to the wide range of products, reduced workload for resources ). These changes have an impact on system's performance in terms of lead time, late orders' rate, etc.The second level is axed on deeper changes occurring due to the increased product visibility and the ease of collecting large amounts of data with an RFID technology.These changes mainly focus on the dynamic allocation of workload. Reconsidering of processes and proposing changes deeper than the simple direct technology impact is a breakthrough, in this study, because of the lack of publications highlighting this benefit adequately.In conclusion, RFID contribution in CTO systems and, extensively, in assembly to order systems may be undeniable. Moreover, beyond the direct technology impact, rethinking how the system works by exploiting the deeper potential of technology can increase profits.ST ETIENNE-ENS des Mines (422182304) / SudocSudocFranceF