Analog Discovery 2 and Engineering Education

A couple of months ago, we ran an article which discussed the findings of a research paper titled “Matched Assessment Data Set for Experiment-Centric Pedagogy Implementation in 13 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) ECE Programs.”  This paper discussed how Digilent’s Analog Discovery had been used in a study that sought to increase hands on learning at 13 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).  That study concluded that use of the Analog Discovery in engineering courses is an excellent way to increase hands on learning, thereby increasing student performance and retention rates in engineering courses.  Researchers continued to evaluate the use of the Analog Discovery at these 13 HBCUs over a four year period, and published their findings in the paper titled “Experiment-Centric Pedagogy – Improving the HBCU Engineering Student Learning Experience.”  The content and findings of this paper are summarized below.

The goal of this study was to “increase the number of highly qualified and prepared African American engineers, and all students, and to have a better understanding of technology and its role in STEM education and the policy associated with it.”  Of the students who participated, 73% were Black, 9% Asian, 7% White, 6% Hispanic, and 4% multi-racial.  76% of students were male, 24% female, and a total of 84% indicated English as their primary language.  80% of students were from either an engineering or computer science major, and were a mixture of first, second, third, and fourth year students.  The purpose of using the Analog Discovery was to study how to best incorporate hands-on learning into the traditional classroom environment.  Forty-three professors throughout the 13 HBCUs were trained to use the Analog Discovery in over forty different courses involving circuits and electronics during this four-year period.  The majority of students had never used the Analog Discovery before, nor were they familiar with experiment-centric pedagogy in engineering courses prior to participating in this study.

95% of faculty participants reported that they were highly satisfied with their experience incorporating the Analog Discovery Board into their traditional classrooms, and said they will continue to use the Analog Discovery after the study has concluded.  They reported that the Analog Discovery helped increase their ability to engage in experiment-centric pedagogy.  They also reported that students’ enthusiasm for projects and assignments increased when the Analog Discovery was incorporated into the exercise.  They also noted that students who had been struggling with theoretical material saw great benefits from using the Analog Discovery.

Faculty reported that the support they received during the study was crucial to the successful implementation of experiment-centric pedagogy into their courses.  This support came in the form of “on-site workshops, bi-weekly electronic meetings, and an online portal offering curricula, technological supports, and examples of use.”  After receiving such excellent support, 100% of professors participating in the study reported that they would recommend the Analog Discovery to other faculty in their department.  As the study progressed, faculty even began developing their own curriculum surrounding use of the Analog Discovery, and began sharing this curriculum with each other, and with the other universities participating in the study.

Below is a list of Benefits and Barriers associated with use of the Analog Discovery, as reported by faculty and students who participated in the study.

Faculty Reported Benefits:

-Students ask a higher level of questions

-Students are more at ease, there is less fear factor

-Students spend more time questioning each other

-Students understand quicker

-Students can visualize what they are doing

-Students are more interested in/energized about learning

-With the ADB, “they now have more ownership of the process of learning and of their knowledge”

-Learners are more self-reliant

-Learners are more confident

-I can demonstrate practical use in the theory part of the course, and show why students need to know circuits”

-I can better serve my students/makes me a better instructor

-Increases/makes me want to teach again/better

 

Student Reported Benefits:

-Greater knowledge about profession/career/real practice

-Increased desire to stay in the field – saw a real purpose

-88% reported “enhanced professional ability”

-80% said they can “work collaboratively with others”

-75% said they can “transfer knowledge to problems outside the course”

-75% “have developed different ways of solving problems”

-72% “can apply course content to new problems”

-71% “helped to develop self -direction and self-responsibility”

 

Student and Faculty Reported Barriers

-Lack of availability of the Analog Discovery – need one per student, and students should be able to take it home

-Lack of tinkering time – students and faculty need more time with the boards

-Lack of full integration – need access to the board throughout the course and across multiple courses

-Lack of support from upper level administration (IT help, funds, recognition, time as

individuals, and time to plan together)

 

Overall, participants in this study found use of the Analog Discovery to be very beneficial to both students and faculty.  It inspired professors to develop new curriculum and teaching methods, and gave students increased enthusiasm for course content.  Students got to participate in hands-on learning in a variety of settings, which helped increase their academic performance, and increase interest in careers in the fields of engineering and computer science.  Professors enjoyed developing new methods of experiment-centric pedagogy with the help of the Analog Discovery, and found that collaboration with other professors and universities participating in the study enriched their teaching experience.  Both professors and students alike would love to see use of the Analog Discovery expanded to more and more institutions around the world.

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One Comment on “Analog Discovery 2 and Engineering Education”

  1. Building a strong STEM Foundation through a balanced educational plan is the most ideal approach to guarantee that understudies are presented to math, science, and innovation all through their instructive profession. “If we want a society and culture that work for everyone, we need innovation in our relationships along with innovation in the STEM fields and STEM education”. The craze for STEM Learning has now significantly increased in young students. The universities are coming up with various STEM Learning Programs in collaboration with other institutions & researchers.

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