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Using a Hyflex Learning Format in a Second-year Mechatronics Course

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Conference

2022 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Location

Minneapolis, MN

Publication Date

August 23, 2022

Start Date

June 26, 2022

End Date

June 29, 2022

Conference Session

ECE Division Technical Session 1: Online or Remote Teaching and Curricular Developments

Page Count

11

DOI

10.18260/1-2--40842

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/40842

Download Count

335

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Paper Authors

biography

Eleanor Leung York College of Pennsylvania

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Dr. Eleanor Leung is an assistant professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering program at York College of Pennsylvania. Her technical research area is in wireless communications focusing on space-time block coding and the design of signal constellations. She is also doing research work focused on active and collaborative learning in engineering education. Eleanor has a B.S in Electrical Engineering from the University of Calgary and both a M.Eng and a Ph.D in Electrical Engineering from McMaster University.

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James Kearns York College of Pennsylvania

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Abstract

This evidence-based practice paper details a Hyflex learning format used in a second-year Mechatronics course for Mechanical Engineering majors. At York College of Pennsylvania, Mechatronics introduces second-year Mechanical Engineering students to essential aspects of electronics and instrumentation through experiential hands-on learning. Students regularly conduct laboratory exercises and work on short projects as they learn about common electronic components, basic circuit analysis and sensors, and how these components can be used to create electro-mechanical devices. The course was modified in Spring 2021 to incorporate aspects of the Hyflex course format necessary to accommodate the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The course format enabled students to attend in person or remotely through Zoom video conferencing. The format expanded the use and support of asynchronous learning activities to better enable students quarantined, due to close contacts or positive Covid tests, to keep up or catch up on the course instruction. The goal of the instructors was to enable the same learning outcomes for all students, independent of personal circumstances. Online software tools (Canvas learning management system, Tinkercad and Nearpod) were used to deliver content and engage students. Conceptual topics were introduced followed by hands-on activities from Make: Electronics 2nd edition. Each student was also given a kit of electronic components, wire, a breadboard and a multimeter. Students completed and submitted assignments in a variety of digital formats, such as video reports. This paper details the Hyflex modifications made to Mechatronics. It also includes student feedback and instructor reflections. Although the Hyflex format required significant new planning and experimentation it provided a means of accommodating a mix of face-to-face and online students and also provided an opportunity to increase the long term effectiveness of the course.

Leung, E., & Kearns, J. (2022, August), Using a Hyflex Learning Format in a Second-year Mechatronics Course Paper presented at 2022 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Minneapolis, MN. 10.18260/1-2--40842

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