Conference Session

New ECE Courses

Collection

2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Constance D. Hendrix, USAF Academy; Danial J. Neebel PE, US Air Force Academy; Ryan Jay Silva, U.S. Air Force Academy

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

largeamount of breadth would introduce EE and CpE topics earlier in the students’ course of study,enabling them to make a more well-informed choice of major.An effort to attract more students into the EE program was a “soda straw” solution to a largerissue: How can we better fit the student to the major? Figure 1 below, reprinted fromMatusovich, et. al. [1] shows a simplified view of Eccles expectancy-value theory [2]. The coursedescribed in this work aims to help students answer a question similar to the question on theright, “Do I want to earn an Electrical or Computer Engineering degree?” There are threeanswers to this question: 1) I choose Electrical Engineering. 2) I choose Computer Engineering. 3) I choose something else. Figure 1

Conference Session

Flipping ECE Courses

Collection

2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Rafic Bachnak, Pennsylvania State University, Harrisburg; Sofía Carolina Maldonado, Texas A&M International University

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

public institutions is 37.9% [1]. While anumber of issues affect student success, the area of greatest concern is student retention.Standardized-test scores, study habits, and living on- or off-campus are not the only factors thataffect retention rates. Students are more likely to stay in college if they have clear goals, areactive learners, and are active participants in classroom activities.Students learn more when they are intensely involved in their education and have opportunitiesto think about and apply what they are learning in different settings. Students also benefit whenthey are engaged in the teaching and learning of their peers, such as assigned group work, peerreview, coordinated study groups, and peer teaching in and out of class

Conference Session

Innovations in Computer Engineering Courses

Collection

2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Bill D Carroll P.E., University of Texas, Arlington; Shawn N Gieser, University Of Texas At Arlington; David Levine, University of Texas, Arlington

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

and experience gained from our course have demonstrated thatit is practical to successfully cover, in one semester, a range and depth of topics that manyuniversities spread over two courses and two semesters. Other universities facing constraints oncurricular requirements and instructional resources may find our approach both interesting andbeneficial.Features of our course that facilitate student achievement and learning and enable its successfulimplementation include the following. 1. Incorporation of an interesting and challenging semester-long design project 2. Use of hierarchical design methods with industry standard CAD software 3. Use of a take-home design kit incorporating industry standard logic devices 4. Emphasis on

Conference Session

Innovations in Computer Engineering Courses

Collection

2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Edward W. Chandler P.E., Milwaukee School of Engineering; William Barnekow, Milwaukee School of Engineering

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

the scheduled laboratory sessions, and thescheduled sessions are intended to accommodate the demonstration of the implementedmilestones. Table I. Schedule of Project Milestone Demonstrations for 2013-14 Course Offering Week Laboratory Topic 1 Laboratory Safety and Course Project Description 2 Experiment 1 on Digital Signal Line Coding including Manchester 3 Project Milestone: Demonstrate operation of Channel Monitor function that continuously determines state of network channel/medium (Idle, Busy, or Collision) 4 Project Milestone: Demonstrate operation of Transmitter function that sends properly formatted signals on the channel/medium (transmission of short sequence of characters required; entire

Conference Session

Innovations in Electrical Engineering Courses

Collection

2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Theresa Mae Swift, Missouri University of Science & Technology; Barbara Jean Wilkins, Missouri University of Science and Technology

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

24.81.5videos were between five and twelve minutes long to maximize student attention. Material thatwas considered conceptual, as well as all derivations, was covered in the videos. Some exampleswere also included and worked out step-by-step using the Wacom tablet to write on thePowerPoint slides. A screenshot from one of the videos is shown in Figure 1. Figure 1: One Slide From the Frequency Response Video LessonThe particular technology listed was chosen by the instructor and instructional designer due totechnology available at the time the initial video lessons were created, as well as cost oftechnology. Current methods include not only the Wacom Intuos tablet, which replaced theWacom Bamboo, but also tablet devices such as iPad and

Conference Session

Projects in ECE

Collection

2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ying Yu, University of Hartford

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

-survey. The survey results suggested that in general the studentsfound it convenient and easy to record their speech using Google Voice; they also agreed thatusing real-life data offered realistic tests of the theory, and that the automatic transcriptionsystem allowed them to investigate the performance of a real-life speech recognition system. Inclosing, the conclusions and future plans are presented. Page 24.104.2IntroductionIn recent years, speech and audio processing has received significant attention [1][2][3] in theengineering education society, while little has been proposed regarding topics related to speechquality and intelligibility

Conference Session

Assessment of Learning in ECE

Collection

2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Youakim Kalaani, Georgia Southern University; Rami Jubrail Haddad, Georgia Southern University

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

(EE) students are expected toacquire upon graduation:1- Basic Skills (SLO1) - Apply concepts of mathematics, science, and electrical engineering (a) - Identify, formulate, and solve electrical engineering problems in a structured and systematic way (e) - Apply the techniques and modern tools in electrical engineering practice (k)2- Design Skills (SLO2) - Design an electrical system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability (c) - Assess impacts of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal context (h)3- Lab Skills (SLO3) - Design and conduct electrical

Conference Session

STEM and ECE

Collection

2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Khosrow Ghadiri, San Jose State University

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

, afinal exam was created and graded by a faculty member who was not teaching the course. Theface-to-face class covered the traditional EE098 SJSU curriculum (shown in the smaller whitecircle) while the blended class covered the MIT curriculum (shown in white and gray circles)which included nonlinear devices, diodes, MOSFET transistors, both large and small signalanalysis, digital gates and signal integrity as shown in Figure 1.The passage rate was 93% between the students that participated in on cloud and in classactivities and took the finals. Six students out of 80 students withdrew or did not participate inclass or on cloud activities. Binary Signal

Conference Session

STEM and ECE

Collection

2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Kundan Nepal, University of St. Thomas; Andrew Tubesing, University of St. Thomas

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

necessary toeffectively implement integrated engineering education in their classroom. The overall goal ofthis certificate program is to contribute to the engineering skill and efficacy of partner teachers,and in turn, the students with whom they work.To complete the certificate, P-12 educators are required to take three core courses (total 9credits) – Fundamentals of Engineering for Educators, Engineering Design and Engineering in Page 24.416.2the P-12 classroom. A brief course description for the three core courses is provided below:Core 1: Fundamentals of Engineering for Educators: This practical course provides a broadengineering experience and

Conference Session

New ECE Courses

Collection

2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Lin Zhao, Gannon University; Yuzhe Zhang, Gannon University; Jiawei Zhang, Gannon University

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

electronics converter applications. The experiments are designedto be focused on the ECE aspect of the renewable energy and most of the experiments are open-ended.I IntroductionIn the past decade, renewable energy has become one of the hottest topics in engineeringeducation[1]. To catch this trend, Gannon University has been offering the integration ofrenewable energy into electrical power systems course to ECE undergraduate students as atechnical elective since Spring2010. Textbooks covering general topics in renewable energy havebeen published by major higher-education publishers[2-4], yet it is not easy to find a matchingtextbook that has appropriate knowledge level and tailored scope for junior/senior ECEundergraduate students with the focus

Conference Session

ECE Distance Education

Collection

2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Susan C. Schneider, Marquette University; James E. Richie, Marquette University

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

meaning and relevance of Page 24.429.2the data the students acquire in the laboratory.A significant body of literature is available in engineering education journals and conferenceproceedings addressing the issues of modernizing teaching laboratories to take advantage of newand emerging educational technologies. Many of these papers can be categorized as either (1)projects incorporating multimedia elements to create on-line materials to facilitate the delivery oftheory instruction while retaining a significant “hands-on” component,1-13 or (2) projects inwhich virtual or remotely operated laboratories suitable for distance or totally on-line

Conference Session

Assessment of Learning in ECE

Collection

2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Alexander Ganago, University of Michigan; Sudarshan Sivaramakrishnan, University of Michigan; Robert Matthew DeMonbrun, University of Michigan

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

their lack of interest in the course material and lack ofmotivation to learn and apply this material to their future studies and work. Despite thispessimistic background, the authors propose the following working hypotheses and apply themto a large service course in Electrical Engineering (EE) for non-EE engineering majors.The working hypotheses: 1. Non-EE engineering students who are taking a required EE course can develop interest in EE, become motivated and confident to apply EE to their fields of major. 2. Researchers can identify what teaching events and/or components of the course foster students’ interest and motivation. 3. Researchers can find out what parts of the course material the students see as valuable

Conference Session

Active Learning in ECE

Collection

2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ramakrishnan Sundaram, Gannon University

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

, electricdrives, and embedded systems. Figure 1 illustrates the set up of the platform in the real-timeintegrated projects laboratory to deliver ECE courses through integrated projects on thisplatform. Figure 1: Project platformThe project platform comprises the following. (a) Power subsystem and sensors on the golf cart Power distribution and control; voltage, current, and speed sensors Page 24.503.4 (b) Chassis and backplane to be mounted on the golf cart Printed circuit board (PCB) interface cards in the backplane for (i) power management (ii) power system drive circuit (iii) real-time

Conference Session

Flipping ECE Courses

Collection

2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Kenneth A. Connor, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; Dianna L. Newman, University at Albany/SUNY; Meghan Morris Deyoe, University at Albany, SUNY

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

design element [to the projects]”; and “There was morebrainstorming and trial and error [with the projects and] I noticed that [they] were not as clearlydefined in terms of steps so it was up to the group to determine the steps.”). Experiments weregrounded in a guided inquiry instructional technique; the projects were based on more of aconstructivist approach. Table 1 Flipped Classroom Implementation Formative Feedback Implementation Year Flipped Classroom Aspect Pre- Post- Phase

Conference Session

Improvements in ECE Signals and Systems

Collection

2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Berenice Verdin, University of Texas at El Paso; Ricardo Von Borries, University of Texas, El Paso; Patricia A. Nava P.E., University of Texas, El Paso; Andrew C. Butler, Duke University

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

2013 semesterdemonstrated an increase in the assessed learning outcomes compared to the Summer 2012semester, where the tools were not used.The use of technology tools can address multiple situations in engineering education: limitedopportunity for active learning; limited opportunity for laboratory activities that are interesting orrelate to students’ ideas about their “real world”; lack of interactive learning demos; textbooksproviding limited connections among topics; development of textbooks and course materialslimited to a small number of authors; and rising textbook costs that present a financial burden forstudents, especially low-income students.IntroductionEngineering job opportunities are increasing every year 1; therefore, to meet the

Conference Session

ECE Program Development

Collection

2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Robert A. Strangeway, Milwaukee School of Engineering; Stephen M. Williams P.E., Milwaukee School of Engineering; Edward W. Chandler P.E., Milwaukee School of Engineering; Richard W. Kelnhofer, Milwaukee School of Engineering; Owe G. Petersen, Milwaukee School of Engineering

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

Conference Session

Innovations in Electrical Engineering Courses

Collection

2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Daniel Raviv, Florida Atlantic University; George Jonathan Roskovich, Florida Atlantic University

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

the course of asemester for a class titled “Control Systems 1”. The results, although preliminary, have beenpositive. A larger effort is presently being conducted re-assess the success of the method bymonitoring the progress of a class and its individuals as the semester moves on. Page 24.173.2 1. Introduction “Visual literacy in the classroom has become increasingly important as more and moreinformation is accessed through technology. Students must maintain the ability to think criticallyand visually about the images presented to them in today’s society” 1. With the advent of television, computers and all the engaging social media

Conference Session

Improvements in ECE Signals and Systems

Collection

2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Mario Simoni, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology; Farrah Fayyaz, Purdue University; Ruth Streveler, Purdue University, West Lafayette

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

considerable effort to develop pedagogical techniques inorder to teach CTSS courses more effectively. Various pedagogical techniques have been tried,such as the "chalk-and-talk" lecturing style [1], teaching continuous-time concepts beforediscrete-time concepts [2], or vice versa [3], developing signals and systems concept inventories[4], using MATLAB ™ [5-7], instituting hardware-based signal processing laboratories [8], and P Pusing LEGO™ MINDSTORMS NXT platforms for signal processing experimentation [9].Despite all the efforts, conceptual learning of the course content still remains to be a challenge.Without a better understanding of the educational challenges associated with this course, anyattempts to improve student learning

Conference Session

ECE Program Development

Collection

2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Hui Zhong, Shandong University/Gannon University; Lin Zhao, Gannon University; Yuzhe Zhang

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

significant long-term impacts on both professional development ofelectrical engineering students and the educational and technological progress of the countriesconcerned.I IntroductionGlobalization has become one of the hottest topics of electrical engineering education.Reference[1] notes, "since education is one of the fundamental strategies to address most globalchallenges, it is important to identify the most effective educational materials, curricula, anddistribution media for global education as well as institutional arrangements to acceleratelearning." Electrical Engineering Education of China has been reformed in the past decade tobetter meet the needs of the ever fast developing electrical industries in China. Especially afterChinese

Conference Session

Assessment of Learning in ECE

Collection

2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Rami Jubrail Haddad, Georgia Southern University; Youakim Kalaani, Georgia Southern University

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

is a very simple, systematic, and easy to implement approach. Google Forms isan integrated web-based application that facilitates the design of online surveys, questionnaires,and quizzes with a user-friendly application programming interface (API) as illustrated in Figure1. Figure 1- Google Forms Designer APIA Google Form is shared via email and all the collected responses are organized in a GoogleSpreadsheet stored in Google Drive. The benefits of using Google Forms over any othersurveying software or online survey applications are as follows: Page 24.649.31. Google Forms has a modular structure which makes

Conference Session

Projects in ECE

Collection

2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Wookwon Lee, Gannon University; Nicholas B. Conklin, Gannon University

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

objectives. In this paper, we 1) present brief descriptions and key revision points ofindividual subsystems, 2) identify key technical knowledge required for a successful design ofthe subsystems in reference to specific Electrical and Computer Engineering course contents, 3)briefly describe how the HARD 2013 is being used to develop further research opportunities andattract new members (primarily sophomores and freshmen) to undergraduate research, as well asthe strategies to prepare new members to play key roles in future research opportunities, and 4)present and discuss assessment results on how these extracurricular project activities facilitateimproving the student learning outcomes defined by the ABET (i.e., “a through k” student-learning

Conference Session

Assessment of Learning in ECE

Collection

2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Mohammed Taqiuddin Taher, DeVry University, Addison; Ahmed S. Khan, DeVry University, DuPage

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

hypothesis byinvestigating three key questions: 1) Does the use of simulation improve students ‘learningoutcomes? 2). How do faculty members perceive the use and effectiveness of simulation in thedelivery of technical course content? 3). How do students perceive the instructional designfeatures embedded in the simulation program such as exploration and scaffolding support inlearning new concepts?The paper also discusses the other aspects of findings which reveal that simulation by itself is notvery effective in promoting student learning, but simulation becomes effective in promotingstudent learning when used in conjunction with hands-on approach i.e. hybrid or combinationalinstructional strategy. Furthermore, the paper presents recommendations for

Conference Session

Improvements in ECE Signals and Systems

Collection

2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Anusha Sathyanarayanan Rao, Vanderbilt University; Jing Fan, Vanderbilt University; Cynthia J. Brame, Vanderbilt University; Bennett Allan Landman, Vanderbilt University

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

lab report with students’ answers to the pre-lab and in-lab questions andbrief interpretation of the MATLAB code in terms of the concepts implemented and challengesencountered with its execution while simulating various system behaviors.Laboratory ExercisesAudio signal synthesis and processing is a standard application that has been utilizedsuccessfully in several MATLAB-based signals and systems lab curricula4, 8, 9. The three in-classlabs in EECE 214 are also based on this application with the goal of improving students’conceptual understanding of signals and systems. Table 1 describes the applications and conceptstargeted in the three in-class lab exercises. Week in Applications Tasks

Conference Session

ECE Distance Education

Collection

2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Zekeriya Aliyazicioglu, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona; Phyllis R. Nelson, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona; Shailesh Sujanani, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona; Jolly Kuo, Cal Poly Pomona

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

24.721.2Key Motivating FactorsHigh failure rate (about 29%) in our beginning circuit analysis class is strongly correlated witha change to a different major. Approximately 40% of students who fail this first course laterchange their major. This first course thus not only provides concepts that are essential for latersuccess, but also appears to strongly impact a student's perception of their ability to succeed inthe major.Advances in technology make web pages increasingly effective at reaching the currentgeneration of students. A 2012 poll by the Pew Research Center found that 67% of Americansbetween 18 and 24 reported owning a smartphone in February of 2012, and that percentage wasan 18% increase over the previous year [1]. Thus, we have chosen to

Conference Session

Innovations in Electrical Engineering Courses

Collection

2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Nicole P. Pitterson, Purdue University; Ruth A. Streveler, Purdue University

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

while appealing to students’ inductiveand deductive reasoning ability. Using a five step model [1] which includes 1) using aphenomenological overview, 2) a macroscopic qualitative approach 3) a microscopic approach 4)a macroscopic quantitative approach and 5) a microscopic qualitative approach, this papersuggests the redesign of electrical courses aimed at increasing students’ conceptualunderstanding about AC circuits. This work will not only provide information on a holisticapproach to delivering and teaching AC circuit concepts but will also provide an alternativeframework that can be applied to teaching other complex scientific concepts.BackgroundIn engineering learning environments, students are presented with the information throughout

Conference Session

STEM and ECE

Collection

2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Bradley Lance Pirtle, University of Oklahoma; Chad Eric Davis P.E., University of Oklahoma; Jessica E Ruyle, University of Oklahoma

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

underrepresentedminorities in the STEM education pipeline. Women constitute 46% of the American labor force,yet only 9% of today’s practicing engineers are women. Similarly, 43% of the students in theUnited States are of African American, Latino, or Native American descent. Yet of theengineering-related bachelor’s degrees awarded in the United States, less than 15% are awardedto underrepresented minorities.1 By creating an engineering program that more closelyresembles America’s demographics, the alarming gap between genders and ethnicities will beginto close - which will simultaneously increase the number of STEM laborers. II. ECE Outreach:Increasing the overall number of STEM graduates is not only a national concern, but on asmaller scale it is of vital

Conference Session

Innovations in Electrical Engineering Courses

Collection

2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ron J. Pieper, University of Texas, Tyler; Wudyalew T. Wondmagegn, Frostburg State University

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

approach is based the directscheme to integrate the solution for a point source or line over the source domain over the sourcedomain in the aperture. As it turns out the primary deficiency in the method is that it will notcorrectly predict all factors in the diffraction recipe4. The missing factors are not critical to theapplication here. Lastly the one dimensional transform rule can be derived directly from theexact formulas as demonstrated in the first Appendix A.3A Fourier Transform in time or spaceFigure 1 represents “cycles” of a wave shown in time and in space. This should clarify ananalogy that links the time domain applications for the Fourier transform, e.g. temporal signalprocessing and communication theory, with the space domain

Conference Session

Flipping ECE Courses

Collection

2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jia-Ling Lin, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities; Paul Imbertson, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities; Tamara J. Moore, Purdue University

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

classrooms” have recently received increasing interest.1 In these classrooms, instructor-centered in-class lectures are replaced by student-centered learning activities such as problemsolving, Q & A sessions, etc. It challenges the accustomed traditional methods of collegeeducation and influences engineering education at every level: individual instructors, studentgroups, departments, colleges, and institutions. Proponents believe it is an inevitable trend inengineering undergraduate education, which brings deep learning to realization. Because coursecontent is digitized and posted online in “flipped classrooms”, in-class periods now can be usedfor interactive and purposeful activities. It allows flexibilities in how instructors operate

Conference Session

New ECE Courses

Collection

2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Chung Hoon Lee, Marquette University; Susan C. Schneider, Marquette University; Trevor Thiess, Marquette University

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

techniques forseveral different base metals and sulfiding mediums. Then based on the results (either success orfailure) determined by the measured current-voltage characteristics of the memristor, the studentsmade choices on the materials and methods to scale down the macro-scale memristor to themicro/nano-scale memristors using an industry standard fabrication techniques. A graduatestudent working in the nano-electronics laboratory assisted the students during all experimentalwork including safety training and help on both fabrication and data acquisition.1. IntroductionA memristor is a passive electrical circuit component proposed to explain non-linear circuitry byLeon Chua in 1971 [1]. In 2008, an HP Labs team realized the conceptual fourth

Conference Session

Active Learning in ECE

Collection

2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

John W. Dyer, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Oklahoma; David Sandmann MSEE, University of Oklahoma; Chad Eric Davis P.E., University of Oklahoma

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

and LayoutThe laboratory course has 24 individual workstations. Each workstation runs on the Windowsoperating system and has both LabVIEW and the Microsoft Office Suite installed. Theworkstations all have Internet access through the main university domain, and students log intothe computers using their standard university login. This allows them to access their network Page 24.891.3drive and store ongoing project work where it can be accessed outside the lab if desired. Eachworkstation has a National Instruments USB-6211 attached via USB cable (see Figure 1). TheUSB-6211 has 16 single-ended, or 8 differential 16-bit data acquisition channels