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SESSION NUMBER: 1102

Effective Writing Assignments to enhance student learning in “Introduction to Circuit Analysis”

Suguna Bommaraju

Miami University, OH

ABSTRACT

In facing challenges of declining enrollment, retention, incorporating higher technical content, and improving student learning, an integrated reconstruction of pedagogy and curriculum is being sought. This paper describes the design and development of short writing assignments. The short writing assignments are designed based on three strategies: ‘Mock Presentation to High School Students’, ‘Web Search to linking the subject to real world application’ and ‘Identification of Unresolved lab problems’. These short writing assignments are incorporated into “Introduction to circuit analysis”, a freshman course in a 4-year engineering technology curriculum at Miami University, OH. These assignments are simple, informal, and easy to collect, check and/or grade, even for large classes.

In addition to end-of-course rating instruments, three classroom assessment techniques are used to evaluate the reaction to the assignments in ‘real- time’. These are: 1) Weekly questionnaire, 2) One minute paper, and 3) Small Group Instructional Diagnosis (SGID).

A brief overview of the method, discussion of each writing assignment, grading, including a sample assignment is presented in this paper. This paper summarizes the engagement of students in solving meaningful problems, and developing the course material linked to actual practice while employing assignments that are worth evaluating.

I. INTRODUCTION

The Engineering Technology Department at Miami University, OH offers Associate degree (Electrical, Mechanical) and Baccalaureate Completion degree (Mechanical and Electro- mechanical) programs. “Introduction to Circuit Analysis” is a freshman course required for Electrical and Mechanical majors. Students with other majors such as Computer Science, Architecture, and Chemical also take this course to substitute as an outside major requirement. The students comprise of fresh graduates from high schools, returning adults, and employees of companies who need to improve their knowledge and skills.

Proceedings of the 2004 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright © 2004, American Society for Engineering Education

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Bommaraju, S. (2004, June), Effective Writing Assignments To Enhance Student Learning In “Introduction To Circuit Analysis” Paper presented at 2004 Annual Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah. 10.18260/1-2--12769