Feasibility Of Totally Distance Oriented Eet/Cet Programs

Peter Schuyler; Tom Eppes

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Conference: 2006 Annual Conference & Exposition
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Publication Date: June 18, 2006
Start Date: June 18, 2006
End Date: June 21, 2006
ISSN: 2153-5965
Conference Session: Virtual and Distance Experiments
Tagged Division: Division Experimentation & Lab-Oriented Studies
Page Count: 14
Page Numbers: 11.638.1 - 11.638.14
DOI: 10.18260/1-2--483
Permanent URL: https://peer.asee.org/483
Download Count: 446

Paper Authors

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Peter Schuyler University of Hartford

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Dr.Schuyler is an Assistant Professor in the Electrical & Computer Engineering Department, University of Hartford.He as a BS in Bioengineering & an MS and CAS in Electrical Engineering from Syracuse University, and an Ed.D from the University of Massacusetts. He has served as the Department chair, and Assistant Dean while at the University of Hartford.

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Tom Eppes University of Hartford

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TOM EPPES is an Assistant Professor in the Electrical & Computer Engineering Department, University of Hartford. He holds BSEE and MSEE degrees from Texas A&M University and a PhD in EE from the University of Michigan.

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Abstract
NOTE: The first page of text has been automatically extracted and included below in lieu of an abstract

Feasibility of Totally Distance-Oriented EET/CET Technology Programs

Abstract

This paper addresses the problem of delivering an effective “hands-on” learning experience in a purely distance education program within electronic engineering technology (EET) and computer engineering technology (CET). Experiential learning has long been considered to be a necessary pedagogical component in engineering technology. It is generally accepted that a graduate needs “hands-on” experience to be successful as an entry-level technologist in industry.

An examination of undergraduate programs offered in a distance education format reveals that engineering technology programs are conspicuous by their absence. We believe this is because there are no established means to deliver the “hands-on” experiential or laboratory component remotely. While much progress has been made in distance laboratories (virtual and remote-controlled), they do not, as yet, represent an acceptable replacement.

When faced with the need or opportunity for a distance engineering technology program, institutions have addressed this by creating hybrid courses. Delivery of the lecture content is typically done in a format similar to what other disciplines do, i.e. internet- based video (synchronous or asynchronous), downloadable documents, discussion forums, email exchanges, all structured within a course delivery system.

The experiential component is delivered by requiring students to attend laboratory sessions in some facility near their location, or to visit the hosting institution at periodic intervals. Instructors are sometimes dispatched to remote locations when required to oversee these activities. These sessions are usually conducted a few times each semester to minimize travel. Multiple experiments are performed during each session which often requires that the sessions last a full day.

Introduction

Is it possible to create a totally distance program with a “hands-on” laboratory component and if so, how can this be accomplished? To address this, the authors focused on EET and CET programs. The electronics discipline is an attractive choice because relatively low cost components, devices, tools and measurement instrumentation are available. The authors investigated the available technology and hardware capable of providing a

Citation
Format

Schuyler, P., & Eppes, T. (2006, June), Feasibility Of Totally Distance Oriented Eet/Cet Programs Paper presented at 2006 Annual Conference & Exposition, Chicago, Illinois. 10.18260/1-2--483