Contribution: A systematic approach to MATLAB problem design and automated assessment is described, based on the experience working with the MATLAB server provided by MathWorks and integrated with the edX massive online open class (MOOC) platform. Background: New technologies, such as MOOCs, provide innovative methods to tackle new challenges in teaching and learning. However, they also bring challenges in course delivery and assessment, due to factors such as less direct student-instructor interaction. These challenges are especially severe in engineering education, which relies heavily on experiential learning, such as laboratory exercises and computer simulations, to assist students in understanding concepts. As a result, effective design of experiential learning components is extremely critical for engineering MOOCs. Intended Outcomes: This paper shares the experience gained through developing and offering an MOOC on communication systems, with special focus on the development and the automated assessment of MATLAB exercises for active concept learning. Application Design: The proposed approach introduced students to concepts by using learning components commonly provided by many MOOC platforms (e.g., online lectures and quizzes), and augmented the student experience with MATLAB-based computer simulations and exercises to enable more concrete and detailed understanding of the material. Findings: The effectiveness of the instructional methods was supported by evaluation of students' learning performance.