Conference Session

Active & Cooperative Learning in ECE

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Stewart Thomas, Bucknell University

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

courses. A discussion of the systemand how it facilitates near-immediate feedback and supports flipped classrooms orspecifications-based grading schemes concludes the paper.BackgroundCreating and using formative assessments effectively in undergraduate courses can be difficult. Itis also recognized as essential to the learning process. It is through the process of attempting anactivity, receiving feedback, evaluating our attempt, and re-attempting that we learn. As anexample, the 2016 video game The Witness used rapid feedback to teach players how to solveincreasingly complex puzzles using nothing more than a ‘pass’ or ‘fail’ response [1], [2]. Thegame’s culmination was a final timed section that involved solving several different archetypes

Conference Session

Insights for Teaching ECE Courses - Session I

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Clint Kohl, Cedarville University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

and it is an elective forboth electrical engineering and computer science majors. The class meets three times a weekwith two, one hour lectures and one two hour laboratory. The number of students enrolled in thiscourse over the last six years is shown in Figure 1 and has averaged around 15 students. Havingsmall class sizes such as these makes it more feasible to give each student the help and attentionneeded in order to successfully complete each project. Each student works on his or her ownrobot, which assures that every student gains experience with all aspects of the project. Year 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 # Students enrolled 15 16 14 12 21

Conference Session

Insights for Teaching ECE Courses - Session II

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Alireza Kavianpour, DeVry University, Pomona

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

microprocessor and computer architecture courses. For example, LabVIEW has a module called Elemental IO. With the use of this module and a microcontroller, several concepts in the microprocessors course could be implemented. In one of the homework students asked to write a program in LabVIEW to implement Etch-a-Sketch on ARM processor. Proteus Design Suite could be used for teaching peripherals such as LCD, Keypad, Interrupt, Timer, and ADC. In the following, students were asked to connect LCD to Arduino microcontroller in the microcontroller/peripheral course.Figure 1. Example of Proteus in the Microprocessor course.(b)-Electronics CoursesAll lab experiments in the online teaching of electronics courses have three parts:Theoretical Analysis:Example

Conference Session

Insights for Teaching ECE Courses - Session II

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jay Wierer, Milwaukee School of Engineering

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

SystemsAbstractStandards-based grading (SBG) is gaining popularity in K-12 education as it measures students’proficiency on a number of course objectives rather than to give a single grade that does not byitself convey how well the student understands each of the core concepts from the course.Whereas a single grade may be assigned based on the extent to which the student demonstratesproficiency on a number of course objectives, the focus is to give the student, as well as othereducators, a more detailed breakdown of the assessment of individual course objectives.This paper describes the implementation of SBG in a junior-level signals and systems course.SBG has been implemented in various undergraduate engineering courses [1-5] in recent yearsbut, to date, no one

Conference Session

Assessment of Learning in ECE Courses

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Laura K. Alford, University of Michigan; Andrew Deorio, University of Michigan

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

successive programming courses. The results were analyzed using mixedmodel ANOVA for repeated measures of questions on self-efficacy, intimidation by programming,and feelings of inclusion.Statistically significant results include: We observed a decrease in self-efficacy during the termfor both courses in our study, although the effect is small and the decrease is slightly larger forURM students than non-URM students in Course 1; and a decrease in inclusion for students inCourse 1, though again the effect is small. Overall, the perceptions of URM students are similarto non-URM students.Introduction and MotivationA recent survey by the National Science Foundation showed that higher education is stillstruggling to increase the number of

Conference Session

Embedded Systems & Cybersecurity for ECE

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Aaron Carpenter, Wentworth Institute of Technology; Raymond A. Hansen, Wentworth Institute of Technology

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

these types of security projects become moreprevalent across undergraduate education. The descriptions will also detail the level of projectthat students of various backgrounds and class levels can accomplish within the cybersecurityfield without monetary resources or years of experience. This work will provide new instructorsand project supervisors information to guide similar projects, paving the way for much neededcybersecurity professionals to gain valuable experience during their undergraduateeducation.1 IntroductionDigital components are ubiquitous and widely integrated, including smart phones, tablets, laptops,servers, smart-home devices, etc. all networked together, leaving myriad vulnerabilities within thehardware and software

Conference Session

Assessment of Learning in ECE Courses

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Bahar Memarian, University of Toronto; Susan McCahan, University of Toronto

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

Conference Session

New Developments in ECE

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Seyed Mousavinezhad, Idaho State University; Ed Tatar Ph.D., Idaho State University; Cheryl Xu, North Carolina State University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

of digital signal processing (DSP), forexample digital filters, used in smartphones.1. INTRODUCTION.In ECE courses with high mathematical contents, it is helpful for student learning andunderstanding to use examples, demonstrations and computer simulations to explain seeminglyabstract concepts. We use the Electromagnetics (EM) course offered during Fall 2018 semesteras example in this paper. The course topics include: Static Electric and Magnetic Fields, EnergyStorage in these fields, Time-Varying EM Fields, Maxwell’s Equations, Transmission Lines, andWave Propagation. Several textbooks are available for this subject matter including References[1], [2], [3], and [4]. During course introduction we show applications of materials learned in

Conference Session

Improvements in ECE Circuit Analysis

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Alejandro H. Espera Jr, Virginia Tech; Nicole P. Pitterson, Virginia Tech

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

student learning.Keywords: electrical engineering, circuit concepts, evidence-based instructionIntroductionWhat is evidence-based practice?A popular term in education, “evidence-based” refers to any strategy that is derived from orinformed by educational research or any form of metrics of school, teacher, and studentperformance. Data-based, research-based, and scientifically based are also widely used modifierswhen the evidence comprises largely or entirely of data used in or informed by educationalresearch, or scientific findings. Simply put, an educational strategy is evidence-based if objectiveevidence is used to inform the design of an academic program or guide the instructional practices[1].According to the International Reading Association

Conference Session

Embedded Systems & Cybersecurity for ECE

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Shiny Abraham, Seattle University; Mehmet Vurkaç, Seattle University; Agnieszka Miguel, Seattle University; Nhan K. Nguyen, Seattle University; Olsen John Salgado Ong, Seattle University

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

Internet of Things (IoT)IntroductionThe global adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) technology in a wide range of industry sectorshas enabled a seamless confluence of our cyber and physical worlds [1]. The rapid proliferationof IoT devices is attributed to advances in key enabling technologies, among whichcommunication and networking are paramount. As embedded systems converge with ubiquitousconnectivity, it gives rise to an IoT ecosystem that drives a digital transformation, inspiresinnovation, and fuels economic growth. The resulting change in the technology landscape iscreating a shift in demands of the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) workforce. Thisemphasizes the need to reassess ways in which ECE

Conference Session

Improvements in ECE Circuit Analysis

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Susan M. Lord, University of San Diego; Breanne Przestrzelski, University of San Diego; Elizabeth Reddy, Colorado School of Mines

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

content. We describe sociotechnical learning modules as well as student response tothem and lessons learned by the instructors. For example, one student commented, “I thought itwas a really interesting topic that has larger social consequences. It was cool to get away fromthe stigma of engineers only worrying about math and showing that engineering is able to haveeffect in other disciplines.” Overall, students felt that these modules enhanced their learning ofcircuits’ content and was relevant to their training as engineers.IntroductionABET accreditation includes requirements to consider social and global impact [1]. Such anawareness is cited by engineering leaders as critical for students’ future professional practice andlong-term success with

Conference Session

Embedded Systems & Cybersecurity for ECE

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Nader Rafla P.E., Boise State University; H. Shelton Jacinto, Boise State University; Luka Daoud, Boise State University

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

coursesincluded in the cyberphysical-systems certificate is a digital hardware design course. The focus ofthe digital hardware design course is to teach the usage and implementation of digital systems andalgorithms onto field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs); semiconductor devices containing amatrix of reconfigurable logic blocks connected together that can be reprogrammed to any desiredfunction post-manufacturing. This course has been taught, until recently, in a traditionallecture-based manner with periodic hands-on projects and laboratory exercises. The course wasrecently flipped [1], featuring many new active-learning techniques and overhauled laboratoryexercises. To satisfy the new cyberphysical systems security certificate requirements

Conference Session

Assessment of Learning in ECE Courses

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

David O. Johnson, University of Kansas; Molly A. McVey, University of Kansas; Christopher Patrick Melgares, University of Kansas

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

Melgares, University of Kansas Graduate student at the University of Kansas c American Society for Engineering Education, 2019 The Impact of Course Transformation on Student Learning and Success in Fundamental Electrical Engineering/Computer Science CoursesIntroductionStudies repeatedly show improvements in learning, achievement, and success for students afterimplementation of active learning and student-centered teaching practices. Active learningimproves retention of content, achievement level, and success in courses [1, 2]. Research onflipped classrooms in engineering education has shown positive effects including increasedretention, better performance on learning

Conference Session

New ECE laboratories

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Tamer Omar, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona; Anas Salah Eddin, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona; Mohamed El-Hadedy P.E., California State Polytechnic University, Pomona; Hyoungsoo Kim, California State Polytechnic University Pomona

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

-level language programs code.1 INTRODUCTION1Internet of Things (IoT) have opened a new opportunity for anything to connect to the Internetusing a network interface [1]. This development is leading most of the industry players andbusiness to provide some sort of connectivity for their products to the World Wide Web (www).Starting from Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) and Unintended Arial Vehicles (UAV) up to homeappliances and ending with small sensors and actuators, all this wide range of products have founda perfect area of growth to provide more applications and service in IoT. Microcontrollers are themost commonly used devices to provide the required control for wide range of products andconnecting them to the Internet [2]. Application libraries

Conference Session

Curricular Advancements in ECE

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Sarah Rodriguez, Iowa State University; Erin E. Doran, Iowa State University; Paul S. Hengesteg, Iowa State University

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

] students engage with design thinking and how that engagement shapes theirperceptions of what it means to identify as a successful engineer.The research questions for this study are: 1. How do ECS engineering students make sense of design thinking in an academic course setting? 2. How does design thinking in an academic course shape perceptions of what it means to identify as an ECS engineer? BackgroundScholars have suggested that for engineering students to be successful toward the completion oftheir degrees, and then later in their careers, developing an engineering identity is vital towardthat goal1,2. The ability to do something successfully, or to establish mastery with a skill allows

Conference Session

Insights for Teaching ECE Courses - Session I

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Soheil Salehi, University of Central Florida; Ramtin Zand, University of Central Florida ; Ronald F. DeMara P.E., University of Central Florida

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

practical use cases, while simultaneously enhancing students’ written andverbal communication skills [1]. Moreover, it develops problem-solving and critical thinking skills, aswell as life-long learning while encouraging the undergraduate students to consider pursuing researchthrough graduate education which can have positive influence on the long-term economic growth ofthemselves and the society [2, 3]. In the current economy, there are a wide range of internships and paid work experiences availablefor the undergraduate students in various companies and corporations. Most of these work experiencesprovide short-term benefits to the students such as financial advantages and the joy of applying thetechnical skills they learned in the school to

Conference Session

Insights for Teaching ECE Courses - Session I

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Safeer M. Khan P.E., Arkansas Tech University; Mohamed Ibrahim, Arkansas Tech University; Nansong Wu, Arkansas Tech University

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

involves planning, modeling, simulation, building, andtesting prototypes.Success in an engineering career largely depends on a thorough understanding of engineeringdesign processes. Two of the key outcomes of engineering education are: to prepare engineeringstudents to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems, and to apply engineeringdesign to produce solutions [1]. Traditional assessment methods including exams, quizzes, andhomework assignments are primarily designed to measure the effectiveness of engineeringcurriculum in skill development. However, having the skills alone does not ensure that studentswill be successful through the engineering program, as well as in their future careers. An importantelement of success is to

Conference Session

Insights for Teaching ECE Courses - Session II

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

David J. Cheney, University of Florida; Pamela L. Dickrell, University of Florida; Lilianny Virguez, University of Florida

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

Comparison of Hands-On Skills Development in an Introductory Circuits CourseIntroductionUniversities have been examining a variety of alternatives to the traditional teaching method oflecturing to students, many of which utilize technology to enhance or expand the traditionallecture experience[1][2]. For classes with large enrollments that have a significant portion of thematerial that does not change from semester to semester, recorded lectures with Web access [3]is one alternative to repeating the same live lectures.Introductory circuit courses have been taught several different ways that include interactivesoftware [4], Web-based materials [5], and problem-based learning [6][7][8]. The intention is todepart from the traditional lecturing

Conference Session

Insights for Teaching ECE Courses - Session I

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Bridget Benson, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo; Andrew Danowitz, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo; Joseph Callenes, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo; Paul Hummel, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

effectively on a team whose members together provideleadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks and meetobjectives” [1]. Educational research has shown that group work has a significant impact onlong-term material retention, critical thinking and communication skills. Group work can alsoincrease individual productivity and performance (a student can achieve more than working ontheir own), skills development (interpersonal, leadership, motivational), and knowledge about theself (identifying strengths and weaknesses) [2]–[4].Although group work has many benefits, in the worst case, it can also present many challengesincluding ostracism (some members may feel like an outcast in a group), unequal

Conference Session

Improvements in ECE Circuit Analysis

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Maria Javaid, Jacksonville University

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

if one of the team members hassignificantly lower score in individual performance as compare to the other team member.Significantly different individual performance of group members means students have notworked collaboratively. Homework is graded based on each student’s individual performance aswell as overall group performance. Homework problems are assigned each week and groups arechanged for every homework assignment. This way, students get a chance to work with differentclassmates each week.Table 1 shows the procedure the author uses for creating different groups each week. Studentnames are listed in two columns, and each row defines one group. For every new homeworkassignment, the list of students is rotated counter-clockwise one step

Conference Session

Insights for Teaching ECE Courses - Session II

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Kelvin T. Erickson, Missouri University of Science & Technology

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

designs must follow appropriate standards.The courses use active learning activities throughout. The particular framework is the scaffoldedknowledge integration framework proposed by Linn [1]. This framework describes knowledgeintegration as the process of linking, organizing, and structuring students’ ideas, views, andtheories to form a specific concept. With this framework, Linn [2] proposed the knowledgeintegration environment (KIE) principles and guidelines on how to design learning activities,which are:  Make content accessible – use personally-relevant problems and connect new and existing knowledge.  Make thinking visible – provide visual representations  Help students learn from each other – design social activities to

Conference Session

Course Transformation in ECE

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Renee M. Clark, University of Pittsburgh; Mohan Wang, University of Pittsburgh; Mohamed A. S. Zaghloul, University of Pittsburgh; Spencer Mark Sullivan; Kevin Chen

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

and their exposure to theassociated software tools. Eleven of 15 students said they were more engaged during the classsessions with active learning versus lecture. This paper will describe the projects used andvarious affective assessment results. The paper will also describe plans to formally connect thiscourse to student makerspace use and senior design projects to further integrate optics andphotonics into the electrical engineering curriculum.1. Introduction and BackgroundProducts that incorporate photonics technology include optical fibers and display technology,and these technologies are ubiquitous in today’s society. The significant increases in research,development, and job opportunities involving optics and photonics are raising

Conference Session

Assessment of Learning in ECE Courses

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Matthew Garett Young, Arkansas Tech University; Edward Carl Greco Jr., Arkansas Tech University; Scott Marks Jordan, Arkansas Tech University; Thomas Galen Limperis, Arkansas Tech University

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

American Society for Engineering Education, 2019 Regression Analysis to Predict Student Electric Circuits PerformanceIntroductionThe ability to predict engineering students’ future performance based upon previous academicperformance would be a useful tool for identifying at-risk students and increasing retention inengineering programs. One factor in student persistence in engineering programs relates toprevious course performance [1]. Many courses offered in engineering programs occur inspecific sequences such that one course can have several prerequisites. An analysis ofprerequisite course performance can be useful for predicting students’ future performance [2]. Infact, studies have shown that pre-college academic performance can be a

Conference Session

New Developments in ECE

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Arthur Ball, Virginia Tech; Liesl M. Baum, Virginia Tech; Lisa D. McNair, Virginia Tech

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

sophomore-level electricaland computer engineering course. Historically, engineering courses have been structured with adivision between the theoretical lecture and the applied lab, preventing students from makingclear connections between the two. Today’s students do not find this legacy approach effective[1], [2]. In order to enhance student learning and concept retention in a large electrical andcomputer engineering program, a faculty team is redesigning the sophomore year experienceusing a project-based learning approach. This study describes the work of one instructor teachinga freshman-level course as part of the experience of exploring the full integration of labs andlectures that incorporate industry-level, real-world problems. The questions

Conference Session

New Developments in ECE

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Saharnaz Baghdadchi, University of California, San Diego; Zoe Nemerever, University of California San Diego; Paul Andreas Hadjipieris, University of California, San Diego; Sheena Ghanbari Serslev; Carolyn L. Sandoval, University of California, San Diego

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

instructor taught the course in both quarters covering the sametopics. Both quarters had approximately 120 students enrolled. Four students from the Winterquarter retook the course in the Spring. Surveys were completed by 50 and 78 students in theWinter and Spring quarters, respectively. Table 1 shows the breakdown of students by genderand year in the program.Table 1. The number of students and their college year. Quarter Total Female Male 1st year 2nd year 3rd year 4th+ year Winter 117 15 112 0 13 68 36 Spring 122 18 104 0 17 69 36Course DesignIn the Winter quarter, the instructor lectured

Conference Session

Active & Cooperative Learning in ECE

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Guodong Wang, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts; Yanxiao Zhao, Virginia Commonwealth University

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

Paper ID #27433Deepen Students’ Understanding of Computer Networking via a Project-orientedCooperative Learning StrategyDr. Guodong Wang, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Dr. Guodong Wang is currently an Assistant Professor in the Computer Science Department, Mas- sachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA). His research topics include: (1) Big data transfer in high- speed networks; (2) Future Network Architecture, e.g., Software Defined Networking (SDN); (3) Future Smart Grid Architecture; and (4) Cyber Security in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) and Internet of Things (IoT). He has published over 30 research papers

Conference Session

Insights for Teaching ECE Courses - Session II

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Brock J. LaMeres, Montana State University; Carolyn Plumb, Montana State University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

some include the content within their analog circuits sequence.Since digital logic is typically offered in the first or second year of the program and does not havecalculus as a prerequisite, it is a course that usually has high enrollments with varied student preparednesslevels. These factors contribute to increased instructor time spent on helping students that don’t have astrong algebra background.Digital logic is a subject that is more amenable to online instruction compared to other engineeringcourses [1]. Without complex, calculus-based derivations, the foundation of digital logic can beeffectively taught using instructional videos. This characteristic opens opportunities to help strugglingstudents without consuming excessive instructor

Conference Session

Curricular Advancements in ECE

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Gina Martinez, Lewis University; Safwan Omari, Lewis University

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

integrated into the assessment and accreditation process,these processes must be as seamlessly integrated as much as possible into their dailycommitments, resulting in minimal disruption to their normal operation. For mid-sized liberalarts teaching-focused colleges looking to expand into engineering disciplines, this means thatassessment and accreditation should not impose a daunting additional amount of time investmentfrom faculty. In this paper, we propose a model for accomplishing this while at the time,addressing the cost-effectiveness, efficiency and timeliness of obtaining initial accreditation.II. Timely Accreditation Model Our approach is underpinned by four key principles 1. Target-driven 2. Application of project management

Conference Session

Active & Cooperative Learning in ECE

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Zahrasadat Alavi, California State University, Chico; Kathleen Meehan, California State University, Chico

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

systemcontrollers [1]. Therefore, the course lectures include a significant amount of time presentingmathematical derivations and discussing control theory. Students can easily lose their interest inabstract concepts such as those covered in this course and, consequently, their understanding ofthe course material will not reach the desired level by the end of the course. Active learning hasbeen shown to improve student engagement and increase the depth of theoretical knowledge.Therefore, including hands-on activities would be beneficial in resolving such issues [2,3]. Anadditional motivation to include hands-on projects and demonstrations in our control systemdesign course is that these activities support the attainment of ABET student outcome (6

Conference Session

Improvements in ECE Circuit Analysis

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Craig A. Chin, Kennesaw State University; Roneisha Wynette Worthy, Kennesaw State University; Donna Colebeck, Kennesaw State University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

process.1. IntroductionThe motivation for differentiated instruction (DI) is based on the observation that any classenvironment will consist of learners of different abilities, interests, learning styles and culturalbackgrounds. This implies that learners will respond to instruction differently, and the one-size-fits-all teaching approach, commonly utilized in college classrooms, is less than optimal from thestandpoint of student learning. DI acknowledges the diverse characteristics of the individuallearner by designing learning experiences that are adapted to meet the unique learning needs of astudent with the expectation of improving student success compared to the one-size-fits-allparadigm. In the DI model [1], an instructor can differentiate