Use of an Automated Grading Circuit for a Lab-based Course

Christopher Miller

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Conference: 2017 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Publication Date: June 24, 2017
Start Date: June 24, 2017
End Date: June 28, 2017
Conference Session: Division Experimentation & Lab-oriented Studies Electrical Engineering and Circuits
Tagged Division: Division Experimentation & Lab-Oriented Studies
Page Count: 9
DOI: 10.18260/1-2--29065
Permanent URL: https://peer.asee.org/29065
Download Count: 516

Paper Authors

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Christopher Miller Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

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Chris is an Assistant Professor of Electrical & Computer Engineering at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. His interests include engineering education, embedded systems, and ubiquitous computing.

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Abstract

WIP: Use of an Automated Grading Circuit for a Lab-based Course

Abstract Laboratories and hands-on projects are an important part of courses in embedded systems and microcontrollers. Assessment and feedback for these projects can be challenging due to the speed at which microcontrollers operate. Verification of outputs may not be possible with the human eye and may require lab equipment, which can be time consuming. Additionally, even if observation of outputs is possible, it may not be possible to manually produce the desired inputs to test all boundary conditions.

Incorporating self-assessment and verification into project requirements can assist in addressing these issues, as well as helping students to develop important testing and verification skills. Many students, however, have yet to develop the necessary skills to understand how to properly test their designs. They therefore remain unaware of shortcomings in their understanding until feedback is received, at which point they may have moved on to future laboratory assignments.

We have developed an automated grading circuit for an introductory course on embedded systems and microcontrollers. The course focuses on hands-on learning through weekly lab projects and a term project. The automated grading circuit is designed to be connected to students’ lab circuits, and to provide an automated test with real-time feedback and immediate results. The grading circuits are made available to students so that they may use them throughout the design and implementation process to verify their circuits and get immediate feedback prior to their final demonstration. The motivations for the development of the automated grading circuit include: improve student understanding of system verification, improve quality and quantity of feedback and enable student-directed feedback, enable more precise grading rubric criteria, and reduce demonstration time to allow more time for in-lab activities and assistance.

In this paper we present the design and implementation of the grading circuit and test programs. We discuss initial results, including improvements to assessment accuracy and improved student understanding as indicated by exam scores. Additional assessment is needed to further evaluate benefits of the grading circuit and determine the best application of this tool to improve student outcomes and development.

Citation
Format

Miller, C. (2017, June), Use of an Automated Grading Circuit for a Lab-based Course Paper presented at 2017 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Columbus, Ohio. 10.18260/1-2--29065

TY - CPAPER
AB - WIP: Use of an Automated Grading Circuit for a Lab-based Course

Abstract
Laboratories and hands-on projects are an important part of courses in embedded systems and microcontrollers. Assessment and feedback for these projects can be challenging due to the speed at which microcontrollers operate. Verification of outputs may not be possible with the human eye and may require lab equipment, which can be time consuming. Additionally, even if observation of outputs is possible, it may not be possible to manually produce the desired inputs to test all boundary conditions.

Incorporating self-assessment and verification into project requirements can assist in addressing these issues, as well as helping students to develop important testing and verification skills. Many students, however, have yet to develop the necessary skills to understand how to properly test their designs. They therefore remain unaware of shortcomings in their understanding until feedback is received, at which point they may have moved on to future laboratory assignments.

We have developed an automated grading circuit for an introductory course on embedded systems and microcontrollers. The course focuses on hands-on learning through weekly lab projects and a term project. The automated grading circuit is designed to be connected to students’ lab circuits, and to provide an automated test with real-time feedback and immediate results. The grading circuits are made available to students so that they may use them throughout the design and implementation process to verify their circuits and get immediate feedback prior to their final demonstration. The motivations for the development of the automated grading circuit include: improve student understanding of system verification, improve quality and quantity of feedback and enable student-directed feedback, enable more precise grading rubric criteria, and reduce demonstration time to allow more time for in-lab activities and assistance.

In this paper we present the design and implementation of the grading circuit and test programs. We discuss initial results, including improvements to assessment accuracy and improved student understanding as indicated by exam scores. Additional assessment is needed to further evaluate benefits of the grading circuit and determine the best application of this tool to improve student outcomes and development.

AU - Christopher Miller
CY - Columbus, Ohio
DA - 2017/06/24
PB - ASEE Conferences
TI - Use of an Automated Grading Circuit for a Lab-based Course
UR - https://peer.asee.org/29065
DO - 10.18260/1-2--29065
ER -