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Hands-on Active Learning in Fiber Optics Course

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Conference

2013 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Location

Atlanta, Georgia

Publication Date

June 23, 2013

Start Date

June 23, 2013

End Date

June 26, 2013

ISSN

2153-5965

Conference Session

Laboratory Development in ECE II

Tagged Division

Electrical and Computer

Page Count

11

Page Numbers

23.653.1 - 23.653.11

DOI

10.18260/1-2--19667

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/19667

Download Count

535

Paper Authors

biography

Lihong (Heidi) Jiao Grand Valley State University

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Dr. Jiao is an Associate Professor in the Padnos College of Engineering and Computing at Grand Valley State University. Her areas of interest include semiconductor device fabrication and characterization, nano-materials, nano-devices, fiber optics, and nanotechnology education. Her research activities involve inorganic/organic solar cells, organic light emitting diodes, and MEMs/NEMs for sensor applications.

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Abstract

Hands-On Active Learning in Fiber Optics Course The course “Introduction to Fiber Optics” was offered as a three-credit senior electivecourse in the School of Engineering at __________________ University since 2008. Forthe first two offerings, short active-learning exercises were incorporated. Feedback fromstudents showed that these learning exercises were effective ways in learning fiber opticsand more hands-on learning materials were desired. In 2012, a course change proposalwas approved to change the credit of the course from three to four. The course wasrevised to include hands-on learning modules. This paper will describe in detail the development of learning modules and assessmentresults from the 2012 course offering. Three approaches were incorporated in activelearning: design, simulation, and build. Eight lab activities were developed to introducestudents to the basic skills of handling optical fibers, characterizing fiber opticcomponents, and analyzing single-channel fiber optic communication systems.Simulation software “OptiPerformer” was used to explore different fiber opticcommunication systems. Students designed a silica single mode optical fiber to meet therequired dispersion properties using MATLAB for their mid-term project. For the finalproject, a long-haul optical transmission system was designed.

Jiao, L. H. (2013, June), Hands-on Active Learning in Fiber Optics Course Paper presented at 2013 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Atlanta, Georgia. 10.18260/1-2--19667

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