Asee peer logo

Work-in-Progress: Right out of the Gate: Supporting Applied Technology and Engineering Students in Inroductory Digital Logic Courses Using Logisim-Evolution and Basys 3

Download Paper |

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

Computers in Education Division Poster Session

Page Count

9

DOI

10.18260/1-2--41171

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/41171

Download Count

346

Request a correction

Paper Authors

biography

Jeritt Williams Illinois State University

visit author page

Jeritt Williams is an Instructional Assistant Professor in the Department of Technology at Illinois State University where he teaches courses in Engineering Technology and Computer Systems Technology. Prior to joining the university faculty, Jeritt worked in manufacturing and logistics, taught Technology and Engineering Education at the middle and high school levels, and served as the coordinator for STEM education at Illinois State University's Center for Renewable Energy. His research interests include smart manufacturing education and interdisciplinary STEM education.

visit author page

biography

Jaby Mohammed Illinois State University

visit author page

Jaby Mohammed is an Assistant Professor of Technology at Illinois State University, where he teaches Data Analytics, Six Sigma, and Parametric modeling. After working with Khalifa University, Purdue University, and Morehead State University, Dr. Mohammed joined the technology department at Illinois State University. He worked as engineering faculty with Kentucky Governors Scholars Program from 2006-to 2012. Dr. Mohammed is a senior member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) and the Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE). His area of research includes New Product development, human factors, six sigma, and Lean Manufacturing. He has conducted applied research in laser cladding and rapid prototyping using DMD and SLS machines. Dr. Mohammed holds a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Louisville, an MBA in operations management, and his Bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from University of Kerala.

visit author page

Download Paper |

Abstract

Ubiquitous, affordable, accessible: Choose 2. This is often the reality when selecting and using tools and hardware designed for beginners and/or non-engineers who are developing logic-based Hardware Description Language (HDL) to be implemented in Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) development. In this paper, the authors will discuss how Logisim-Evolution, a free, open-source graphics-based logic design and simulation software can be integrated with the Basys 3 FPGA board to provide applied engineering and technology students with a low-cost, high-application potential using familiar graphics-based logic schematic design without the need for direct HDL text-based coding. This is a qualitative work-in-progress paper that provides a educational practitioners with a proposed developmental approach to redesigning an introductory Digital Electronics (DE) course to accommodate students from diverse majors and educational backgrounds based on lessons learned in the moment. Examples are provided of how to engage students in immediate opportunities for hands-on learning to support common lessons found in an introductory DE course. Discussion is provided on the rationale and results of revising a DE course. Initial observations indicate that student engagement increased in the subject matter and they could begin to make connections with their future career goals. Plans for future study are presented.

Keywords: Logisim-Evolution, Basys 3, introductory digital logic, digital electronics

Williams, J., & Mohammed, J. (2022, August), Work-in-Progress: Right out of the Gate: Supporting Applied Technology and Engineering Students in Inroductory Digital Logic Courses Using Logisim-Evolution and Basys 3 Paper presented at 2022 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Minneapolis, MN. 10.18260/1-2--41171

ASEE holds the copyright on this document. It may be read by the public free of charge. Authors may archive their work on personal websites or in institutional repositories with the following citation: © 2022 American Society for Engineering Education. Other scholars may excerpt or quote from these materials with the same citation. When excerpting or quoting from Conference Proceedings, authors should, in addition to noting the ASEE copyright, list all the original authors and their institutions and name the host city of the conference. - Last updated April 1, 2015