Circuit Analysis Tools: Integrating Smartphone and Tablet Applications and Simulation Software into Circuit Analysis Instruction and Laboratories
Keywords:
engineering technology; circuit analysis courses; key learning concepts; multisimAbstract
The purpose of this practical action research design pilot
study was to evaluate different technological applications and software
available for use in circuit analysis to new electrical engineering and
technology students and observe the use and response of students to
these tools. The research design followed a four-step procedural
framework called the Dialectic Action Research Spiral. This is a cyclical
procedure where the teacher-researcher chooses an area of focus,
determines data collection techniques, analyzes and interprets the data,
and develops an action plan. The area of focus of this research was
chosen during the first semester of instruction and observation in the
Fall 2013 semester in ECET 10700. During the first semester through
observations and interaction with students the researcher was able to
find key elements relative to why students have trouble understanding
concepts taught. In Spring of 2014, the same course was taught by the
same instructor using interventions developed based on findings from
2013. The significance of this procedural framework is that it is
recurrent and data is always being collected and evaluated against the
focus to see if the process is working its way towards an actionable
solution. Results, conclusions and recommendations are included in the
study.
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