Colin Simpson (Canadian author)

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For other people named Colin Simpson, see Colin Simpson (disambiguation).
Keynote address, International Distance Education Conference, Copenhagen, 2006

Colin Simpson is a

Doctorate of Letters from Nipissing University.[4]

Early years

During his tenure as an electronics professor at

computer programmer John (Bud) Skinner with this idea, and development work began on a product that ultimately became CircuitLogix. As a result of using this software students grades improved significantly,[6] and it has also removed a very divisive issue from the classroom. In 2005, Simpson launched the commercial version of CircuitLogix called CircuitLogix Pro and in 2012 it reached the milestone of 250,000 licensed users, and became the first electronics simulation product to have a global installed base of a quarter-million customers in over 100 countries.[7]

Simpson & Skinner's CircuitLogix simulation software

Simpson was one of the first electronics professors to use simulation software, and his fourth book,

electronics simulation software could achieve identical results to laboratory experiments performed with real equipment.[9]

In 1997, Simpson's Electronics Technician distance education program (ET) received approval and accreditation from the

Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU). In its first year, the program enrolled over 500 students from 17 countries, with over 30 companies sponsoring employees,[10] and has since become the largest distance education program of its kind in the world.[11]

With over 10,000 students studying electronics at a distance, Simpson's ET distance education program has effectively broken down the barriers that prevent students from accessing technical course material on-line. Of note is that the program has broken the

mature students who are in their 40s and 50s and require greater flexibility in their studies.[13]

Robotics and beyond

Simpson & Skinner's RoboLogix simulation software

In 2008, Simpson published his book, Introduction to Robotics. He also oversaw the development of a new

algorithms, and simulation technologies. In 2009, Simpson launched the Robotics Technician online program,[15]
which presently has over 800 students in 15 countries.

In recent years, Simpson has continued his work in simulation and control systems and in 2006, launched the online

PLC Technician program, which was based on his book, Programmable Logic Controllers. The program is now the largest of its kind in the world and provides training to employees in over 100 companies.[16] In 2013, Simpson and Skinner released their first PLC simulation product, PLCLogix, which is designed to simulate the operation of Rockwell Automation's Logix 5000 PLC and is featured in the online PLC Technician program.[17]

One of the main features of PLCLogix is its ability to simulate real world manufacturing environments using interactive 3D animations. These interactive animations are based on Simpson's Programmable Logic Controllers textbook and range from

bipeds and other avatars that operate in the various worlds. The integration of ladder programs with these 3D worlds provides a method for programming using real-time computing
and observing the operation of complex control devices and systems.

In 2014, Simpson and Skinner released LogixSim, which is a

electro-mechanics, robotics and PLCs.[19][20]

In 2022, Simpson launched the

charging stations.[23]

Personal life

Colin Simpson was born in North Bay, Ontario to parents of British heritage. He is the great-great grandson[24] of renowned slavery abolitionist James Phillippo who built one of the first churches in Jamaica, Phillippo Baptist Church, and helped found several Free Villages.[25]

In addition to his work in electronics and simulation technologies, Simpson is also an accomplished

innovator.[30]

Awards

In 1996, Simpson and

Software Publishers Association[31]
for their work in simulation technologies and multimedia.

In 1998, Simpson's electronics program received the Program Excellence Award, from the

Association of Canadian Community Colleges, a consortium of 155 Colleges. It was the first time a distance education program had earned this award and was noted by ACCC President, Gerald Brown, as a "landmark achievement in the field of distance education".[32]

In 2003, Simpson's Electronics Technician program received a $1 million grant from the

TVOntario President, Isabel Bassett.[33]

In 2014, Simpson received the Platinum Author award from McMillan-Warner Publishing for reaching 500,000 textbook sales globally.[34]

In 2015, Simpson was awarded an

Honorary Doctorate degree from Nipissing University for his global contribution to post-secondary education as an author and software developer.[35]

Bibliography

References

  1. ^ Article regarding textbook sales
  2. ^ Technology Trends Article
  3. ^ ACCC document with article regarding Simpson's Electronics Technician distance education program Archived 2010-10-09 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ Education reference
  5. ^ "Free Student Version of CircuitLogix". www.circuitlogix.com. Archived from the original on 2008-04-30. Retrieved 2008-08-31.
  6. ^ "Press Release - January 12, 2007". www.etcourse.com. Archived from the original on November 5, 2010. Retrieved 2008-08-31.
  7. ^ Article regarding user base
  8. ^ "Simulation Advantages - Disadvantages". Archived from the original on 2011-07-20. Retrieved 2011-03-06.
  9. ^ Popular Electronics Magazine, The New Virtual World of Electronics Laboratories, pp. 3-5, Gernsbeck Publishing, New York, October, 1996
  10. ^ "Press Release - January 12, 2007". Archived from the original on 2010-11-05. Retrieved 2007-04-19.
  11. ^ "Press Release - January 12, 2007". www.etcourse.com. Archived from the original on July 23, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-31.
  12. ^ "FIE95 - Agogino". Archived from the original on 2011-05-29. Retrieved 2011-03-06.
  13. ^ "Demand for continuing education from the 50-plus cohort is growing". The Globe and Mail. 2015-06-21. Archived from the original on 2022-07-02.
  14. ^ RoboLogix/Robotics Interview
  15. ^ "Error".
  16. ^ Online program popularity
  17. ^ "George Brown College offers Online PLC Training".
  18. ^ Description of LogixSim Archived 2014-01-18 at archive.today
  19. ^ Automation Program reference[permanent dead link]
  20. ^ Simpson Interviewed re new automation program
  21. ^ "EV technician online program". GeorgeBrown.ca. 15 August 2022.
  22. ^ "EV simulation software". EVTechnician.com.
  23. ^ "Demand for EV Technicians". TheStar.com. 2 October 2022.
  24. ISBN 1-903365-38-4
  25. ^ James Phillipo, Jamaica: Its Past and Present State, J. Snow, 1843
  26. ^ Latest music project
  27. ISBN 978-1-55082-164-2
  28. ISBN 978-1-55082-164-2
  29. ^ Williams, Terry (1983) Canadian Musician Magazine, July/August Edition, P.37
  30. ^ Innovative partnerships in Education
  31. ^ Popular Electronics magazine, The New Virtual World of Electronics Laboratories, pp. 3-5, Gernsbeck Publishing, New York, October, 1996
  32. ^ ACCC document with article regarding Simpson's Electronics Technician distance education program Archived 2010-10-09 at the Wayback Machine
  33. ^ [1][usurped]
  34. ^ Global textbook sales
  35. ^ "Honorary Doctorate Degree". Archived from the original on 2015-06-14. Retrieved 2015-06-08.
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