student's eventual success. Samson et al. [1] found that college GPAand test scores had almost no predictive ability for a student's future success. These academicmetrics explained only 2.4% of the variance in occupational performance criteria, such as wagesand job satisfaction, with engineering being notably lower than the average. Students are overlyconcerned with collecting points to pad a GPA that doesn't really mean anything.The logical conclusion is to change the way we assess students. When considering any gradingsystem, including the currently dominant points-based system, we can and should demandcertain characteristics of the system. It should always uphold rigorous academic standards andclearly connect with student learning objectives. A
projects on a single wafer has been usedto reduce development costs of Very-large-scale Integration (VLSI) design [1]. The mask is by farthe most costly part of the VLSI fabrication process. Creating an entire mask for a single projectis cost-prohibitive for a low-quantity development run. By packing multiple low-quantity projectsinto a single mask, the mask cost can be shared across all the combined developers, so eachdeveloper gets their design fabricated at a fraction of the cost of fabricating the ASIC on theirown. This is the model this co-curricular uses, as we only intend to use a small number of ASICsper fabrication run for bring-up testing and future development.Efabless OpenMPW ShuttlesEfabless defines itself as “the first creator
. ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2025 WIP: Teach Fast Fourier Transform Through a Web-Based Interactive Visualization ApplicationAbstractThis Work-In-Progress paper presents the design and implementation of a web-based interactivevisualization tool to help students understand and implement in software a Decimation-In-Time(DIT) Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) algorithm in a Real-Time Digital Signal Processing (DSP)Systems course. The paper will also discuss the assessment plan to evaluate the effectiveness ofthe application.IntroductionFast Fourier Transform (FFT) is one of the Top 10 Algorithms of 20th Century by the IEEEmagazine Computing in Science & Engineering [1]. It is an efficient way to compute
of Engineering at Virginia State University. She received the B.S. degree in Mathematics from Virginia Union University, B.S. and M.S. degrees in Electrical Engineering (EE) from Howard U ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2025 1 Exploring Minority Students’ Learning Experiences in a Summer QISE Laboratory Course Backgrounds Quantum Information Science and Engineering (QISE) is a rapidly growing field of studyand is expected to revolutionize society in the coming decades. In the U.S., this talent need hasbeen
analytics for load-flow systems through the application ofmachine learning and blockchain technologies.This study addresses the following specific areas:• Mitigation of Smart Grid Load-Flow Data Vulnerabilities: Based on thevirtual template for load-flow bus-generator (BUS-GEN) modelreinforcement, this study proposes improved mitigation strategies (refer toFig. 1).• Countermeasures for Overall Grid Resilience Enhancement:Countermeasures are proposed to address cyber-physical threats, aiming toenhance the resilience of smart grid load-flow networks.• Threat Landscape Mapping: An in-depth analysis of various threats isprovided, along with corresponding countermeasures, establishing adetailed research framework for mitigating critical vulnerabilities
inintegrating career planning into their curriculum.IntroductionThis full paper explores how electrical and computer engineering (ECE) master’s studentsresponded to a professional development module embedded within a high-enrollment ECEcourse at a large, public, research-intensive institution in the Southeastern United States. Thefield of ECE is broad, offering diverse career opportunities to students [1]. Supporting studentsin navigating these career opportunities requires addressing two key areas. First, students mustdevelop an understanding of their discipline, including the nature of work associated withvarious roles. This knowledge is typically conveyed through technical coursework and internshipexperiences, although opportunities remain to
in this sector including supply chain disruptions, shortage of talentedand skilled workforce, and intense competition from foreign chip manufacturers. According to theSemiconductor Industry Association (SIA), the U.S. share of global semiconductor manufacturinghas dropped significantly, from about 37% in 1990 to approximately 12% in 2023 [1]. In responseto this concerning decline, the U.S. government has initiated programs to increase domesticmanufacturing, such as the CHIPS and Science Act, which aims to boost advanced chipsproduction in the U.S, prompting an urgent need to bolster workforce readiness [2, 3].In this paper, we discuss our efforts and experiences in an industry-sponsored project that aims toaddress this need by preparing ‘fab
water, access to electricity,limited connectivity, and low quality of education. Over 700 million people lack access to electricity [1],over 2.2 billion people lack access to clean water, and over 2.6 billion do not have access to the Internet.To address these concerns, the United Nations established a set of goals, the UN SustainableDevelopment Goals [2] which were agreed upon by most of the world’s nations in 2015 following thelimited success in achieving the prior Millenium Development Goals. The field of humanitarianengineering (HE) has emerged as a means of educating students to participate in projects to addressthese global challenges. However, most students participating in HE projects tend to be civil ormechanical engineering students
students to be solved in class. This was followed by the instructor going overthe third problem in class with the students. Student groups were required to submit thesolution to the third problem by the end of the day of class. Early formative feedbackavailable based on student performance on the third problem was used to modify futurelecture content. The intervention resulted in better grades for students and better teachingevaluations for the instructor as compared to a similar offering of the course in theprevious semester. Therefore, it is highly recommended. 1. IntroductionThe course redesign approach of this project focuses on active learning using in-class groupworkand formative feedback. In a challenging course, it is important that
Figure 1: Loginchanged, the solutions are well known online. The students simply follow the solution manualformulas and swap in their random values. These platforms are also inflexible for the instructors,they are unable to modify the problems, only select which are to be used. Finally, and perhapsmost importantly, they are very expensive. A subscription to one of these services usually costsmore than $100 per semester per student which can be prohibitive, especially if several classes areusing them in the same semester. The current trend in education is toward Open EducationalResources (OER) to make education affordable for everyone. This homework platform and anaccompanying OER Microelectronics textbook allows our students to study
constraints are often immov-able. The paper concludes by suggesting future directions for constraint-driven embedded systemsprojects, emphasizing the potential of this method to continually create novel, challenging learningexperiences in the face of rapidly evolving technology.1 IntroductionEmbedded systems education often struggles to balance theoretical knowledge with practical, en-gaging projects. While microcontroller-based projects are common, they frequently lack the scaleand complexity that mirror real-world engineering challenges. Additionally, with the success ofMaker Spaces and the popularity of many of these projects, finding interesting projects that havenot already been covered deeply on the web is difficult. This paper proposes an
settings as a qualityassessment performance indicator to test students' ability to apply relevant technical codes andstandards in engineering design.Single line to ground (SLG) faults in transmission lines are often caused by an insulatorflashover [1]. At the point where the SLG occurs, zero-sequence current flows back to theground of the power system. On a grounded system, a fault in a steel tower or grounded woodpole automatically includes the footing impedance in the fault circuit [2]. Hence, the flow ofthe zero-sequence current is greatly influenced by the line's zero-sequence impedance, the arcresistance, and the tower footing impedance (TFI); so, the resultant fault current may be quitesmaller than the computed one when ignoring any of these
electrical and computer engineeringeducation, supporting technologies ranging from wireless communication to radar systems.However, its abstract mathematical foundation and conceptual complexity often presentsignificant challenges. Traditional lecture-based methods have struggled to provide theexperiential learning necessary to bridge the gap between theoretical principles and practicalapplications. Prior research highlights the effectiveness of active learning and hands-onexperimentation in improving engagement and comprehension [1], [2]. Studies in physics andengineering education have demonstrated that simulations and real-world projects contributeto a deeper understanding of topics such as wave propagation and Maxwell’s equations [1],[2], [3
with the knowledge thatthey need to wisely select from the variety of concept inventories available and implement themto achieve their unique research outcomes and specific educational goals and course objectives.Keywords: Concept Inventory, Circuits, Electrical EngineeringI. IntroductionCircuits is one of the fundamental gateway courses not only required for Electrical Engineeringstudents, but also other engineering majors, such as Aerospace Engineering, ChemicalEngineering, Civil Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering, many of whom include a circuitscourse as part of their undergraduate curriculum [1]. Moreover, there have been a number ofinterventions in circuits aimed at improving students’ understanding and helping undergraduatestudents
computer screens or textbooks frequently used in traditionaleducation.As education embraces innovative methods to overcome these challenges, Virtual Reality (VR)has emerged as a promising tool that creates personalized and immersive learning environmentstailored to diverse student needs. VR enables students to immerse themselves in virtual 3Denvironments where abstract concepts can be visualized and manipulated in real time, makingcomplex ideas more intuitive and accessible 1 . For instance, rather than passively reading aboutthe generation and propagation of electromagnetic waves in a textbook, students can interact withand explore these phenomena in a simulated setting. Studies have demonstrated that integratingVR into education enhances
, chatting about their activities, being willing to help, respecting studentsand their privacy, pointing out errors gently and announcing strengths, and asking homeworkquestions that promote mental health and self-care [1] [2].In our study, we want to investigate the benefits of intentionally designed “active group officehour” (AGOH) sessions on students’ course success, engagement, and disciplinary interest. Wedefine active group office hours (AGOH) as times when the teaching team facilitates problem-solving practice in small groups. This format of AGOH can be used by the instructor, teachingassistants, or for recitation sessions. In our work so far, we have focused on the implementationof this format for instructor office hours. This format
collected to refine further and optimize the system.IntroductionFPGAs are integral in the education and development of digital systems, providing students withhands-on experience in designing and testing complex digital circuits. However, current FPGAeducation methods often require physical access to specialized hardware, limiting flexibility andaccessibility [1], particularly for remote learners.Previous efforts to address these challenges have included virtual simulation tools [2], remotelabs with limited interaction capabilities [3], and hybrid setups that combine simulation withoccasional hardware access [4]. While these solutions have advanced FPGA accessibility, theyoften fall short in providing an integrated environment where students can
student learning.Findings from this study contribute to the broader discussion on best practices for AI educationin engineering, offering insights into curriculum design, accreditation considerations, and thestudent experience. By identifying gaps and opportunities in AI curriculum implementation, thisresearch provides actionable recommendations to enhance AI literacy and workforce readinessamong engineering graduates towards Industry 5.0.1 IntroductionThe rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping industries and redefining thecompetencies required of engineering professionals [1]. Therefore, integrating AI into variousundergraduate engineering major has become imperative to prepare students for the evolvingdemands of the
, targeted at upper-level communication systems courses. This tool aims to instill a security-first approach in system design among students, preparing them to shift to a technological environment. The motivation of this interac- tive education module is to implement it in an upcoming course, with expected outcomes to reinforce the importance of security considerations in system design. Additionally, this module will be made available pub- licly for broader academic use via the project’s website. This initiative is supported by the National Science Foundation under Awards No. 2021264 and 2021345. 1 Keywords—Educational Module, Interactive Learning Activities
not.The insights gained from this study provide valuable guidance on FTC teamcoaching and management, benefiting FTC coaches, team members, and eventcoordinators. Our findings suggest several key factors contributing to the growthand advancement of FTC teams to world-level competitions, including (1)consistent participation in off-season activities, (2) specialized technical trainingin programming, odometry, CAD, camera/image processing, and control, and (3)structured soft skills training in documentation and presentation. Notably,community-affiliated teams may have an advantage in these areas, as a greaternumber of them have advanced to world championships. By offering a data-driven perspective on training strategies, time allocation, and task
pace. However, this formatdoes not include the direct interaction between instructors and students that can support sociallearning and provide a rich educational and social experience for students. With a broad array ofdelivery formats available it is important to investigate how students chose to participate indifferent styles, their performance after instruction using different styles, and their preference fordifferent styles. This knowledge helps to inform instructors to decide on formats and theirspecific implementation for their courses.In support of further understanding how delivery style/formats effects courses, recent works haveinvestigated how video length can impact student engagement and performance [1], how video-viewing behavior
evaluate the effectiveness of shifting to alternative grading, we discuss ourobservations and experiences as instructors, survey students about their experiences with the newgrading approach, and propose adjustments for future implementations along with a detailed planfor quantitative analysis.1 MotivationIn many courses and institutions, students prioritize achieving a certain GPA over exercising intel-lectual curiosity or truly engaging with the course material on a deeper level. This pressure is oftenfueled by the need to meet scholarship requirements, maintain academic standing, or satisfy futureemployers or graduate schools that emphasize GPAs as a key metric. Alternative grading systemsaim to acknowledge these constraints while
at the University of Florida (UF). She is also an affiliate faculty in UF’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. She received her B.S. in chemistry from Seoul National University, M.S. in biomedical engineering from Johns Hopkins University, and Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology. As an instructional associate professor, she was awarded several grants from the National Science Foundation (IUSE Level 1, IRES Track 1, I-Corps, and I-Corps for Learning) as principal investigator. She transitioned to tenure track in Fall 2023 to pursue her research interests in convergence in engineering education, global engineering education, and social issues in STEM research and
figure 1 below where baseline information is capturedfor each student in terms of their study habits and strategies. This is followed by a branchingquestion where the student is asked whether they recall being given instruction (either in classor from a Canvas mini course) on strategies for staying focused and improving academicperformance. If the answer is affirmative, a set of additional questions collect data first on thestudents’ fundamental understanding of action-state orientation followed by another branchingquestion to collect more data on which of the strategies covered in the mini-course they haveimplemented in their daily lives. Figure 1: Survey opens with a question on study habits and strategies for each studentData PreprocessingThe
Computer Engineering (ECE) courses are taught using theMtraditional recipe for college STEM teaching and learning: lecture → class examples → homework → assessments → rinse→ repeat. See Figure 1. Figure 1: Traditional Recipe for STEM Teaching and Learning lthough this comfortable recipe works well for many students, it doesnotreliablyproduceaAcoursegradethataccuratelyrepresentsastudent’sknowledgeofthecoursematerial.Considera first semester circuits course in which the final grade is calculatedusingsomecombinationof homework, assessments, and lab work. It is possible for a
ofpotential graduate students.Motivation and BackgroundWith the growing need for a highly skilled and specialized workforce in engineering and relatedfields, coupled with the declining trend in international student enrollment, many institutions inthe U.S. are ramping up efforts to increase enrollment in their master’s programs in variousways. Similarly, the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) department at George MasonUniversity has been intensifying efforts over the past several years, especially with the need toincrease the number of graduates in the computer engineering (and other closely related fields) atboth the undergraduate and graduate levels through the Tech Talent Investment (TTIP) programsupported by the state of Virginia [1
essential problem-solving skills, includinganalytical thinking, logical reasoning, and mathematical modeling. This course also equipsstudents with the analysis skills required to test potential solutions during the design of an electricalsystem.Circuit analysis is challenging for students because it involves abstract concepts and complexmathematics. The interconnected nature of circuits means that each component influences theentire system, making it difficult to understand. This complexity can pose a high intrinsic cognitiveload on students, potentially overwhelming their working memories and impeding the necessaryformation of schemas in long-term memory [1, 2]. For this reason, problem-solving practice is thekey to developing and mastering
part of active learning principles. These principles suggest that whenstudents are actively engaged with their learning, they are more likely to understand the conceptsintroduced to them in class [1]. In general, the more involved the student is in the learning process,the greater their knowledge acquisition and cognitive development are [2], and the more theyengage in critical thinking processes such as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation [3]. Additionally,Biggs [4] states that the more motivated students are, the more they adopt a deep learning approach.He claims that one way to resolve the gap in students’ understanding is to involve them in activitiesthat are engaging and require high levels of cognitive reasoning from them [1], [4
.”1 The Authors thank the Office of Naval Research (ONR), DURIP Award #: 158263, for their support.1 IntroductionTechnological advancements towards high-speed links have escalated data rates up to 800 Gb/s,in electrical and optical channels1-5. This is due to the increasing applications in artificialintelligence, autonomous vehicles, internet of things (IoT), wearables, 5G/6G, machine-to-machine communication, and other data-demanding applications1-2. The building blocks for theabove applications can be broadly listed as: single-chip and multi-chip integration, integratedphotonics and power electronics, MEMS and sensor integration, as well as analog and mixedsignals6-10. These different blocks must be integrated into PCBs with connectors
markers were analyzed. First, results of anonymous surveys were reviewed.Second, anecdotal evidence was reviewed. Third, the success of students in the followup coursewas evaluated. Overall, the findings show that the course is effective in empowering the studentsto be independent designers who have valuable skills to industry.1 IntroductionCreating a practical course is a delicate balance. On the one hand, if it is too practical, studentswill only learn the tools presented and will not be able to generalize. On the other hand, if it is tootheoretical, students will know the foundations of practical tools but will have no practice puttingthat knowledge to use. Most classes in the ECE department at Northwestern University addressthis tradeoff by