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Session 2248

Introducing Freshman EET Students to Design and Software Simulation Tools

Kenneth J. Reid Purdue School of Engineering and Technology Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) Indianapolis, IN

Abstract:

This paper will discuss the introduction of electronics simulation software and a design experiment into a Freshman level Electrical Engineering Technology circuits course. This design experiment replaces three laboratory experiments, and requires students to use software simulation as a tool. Students are now introduced to design, the use of software simulation, formal report writing, and peer evaluation through this project at the beginning of their college career. --------------------------------------------------------

The introduction to circuit analysis (“Electrical Circuits I” - EET 102) course at the Purdue University Electrical Engineering Technology Department at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is structured with a lecture section and a laboratory section like many similar courses nationwide. The laboratory section of Circuits I was structured with 16 weekly laboratory assignments, performed by student teams typically consisting of two to three students. The laboratory section is designed to correlate with the material covered in the lecture section.

The course has undergone two major revisions over the past year. The first was to introduce electronic simulation software, namely Electronics Workbench, into the laboratory section. The other change involved restructuring some of the labs into a group design project. This paper will discuss each revision and the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Electronic Simulation Software:

Electronics Workbench electronic simulation and design software (Interactive Image Technologies, LTD.) was introduced to give the students an introduction to tools that they have at their disposal to assist them in the laboratory and through homework problems. Based on previous experience, students who are introduced to tools such as simulation and design software earlier are more likely to utilize and less likely to be intimidated by the tools available to them. 1

Laboratory manuals were set up as 16 separate weekly experiments with specific requirements for student laboratory teams. One of the challenges to introducing Freshman students to a topic as new and unique as this software during one of their first EET courses is that everything is a brand new topic at this level. Many students adopt a “quickest way out” attitude in the laboratory, because the structure of weekly “cookbook” laboratory experiments works quite favorably to the student that doesn’t understand the connection between theory and hands-on, or

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Reid, K. (1998, June), Introducing Freshman Eet Students To Design And Software Simulation Tools Paper presented at 1998 Annual Conference, Seattle, Washington. 10.18260/1-2--7240