Abstract:

In this work a project on Dynamic, Discrete-change, Stochastic Simulation developed in the Engineering school (UdG) is presented. At the beginning of the course each student selects (or is assigned by the professor) one problem. Examples of these problems are: an “Electronic assembly and test system”, a “Small manufacturing system”, or “Generic call-center system”. After the student has its particular problem he should follow a general scheme of work composed by the follow four steps: first, he must understand the system, and clearly define the goals. Next, he must formulate the model representation and translate into modeling software (ARENA). The “program” must be verified, the model should be validated, and some experiments and runs must be made. Finally, a document with the results must be produced. Approximately, the student can expend a month by step. After one step is finished he must send to the professor its report. The professor evaluates the progress and answers to the student how he could improve its work and how he must advance in the simulation study.
All those above instructions and communications are virtually done. Both students and professor uses the e-mail and the web site of the UdG for the interactions. Furthermore, in this web site there is a forum space where the student can discus about its difficulties and progress. The specific material for the simulation study is composed by: summary of the software facilities and detailed description of the system. The rest of the material of the subject is composed by: slides for the theoretical background, examples, exercises, and case-studies. All these material are provided by the web site of the UdG. Usually, this subject is followed by 25 students each semester. In parallel they attend in-person to classes where they learn theoretical concepts related to simulation techniques and queue systems.

Keywords:

stochastic simulation, arena, virtual learning.