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Rationale
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The
fundamental learning and teaching issues that this project addresses are how
to effectively deliver course content, incorporate active learning into
an engineering curriculum, and prepare students to successfully complete
collaborative design projects. In
engineering courses, it is often difficult to foster an active learning environment
beyond soliciting student input during lecture.
HP Tablet PCs
combined with wireless networking enable students to freely move around
the classroom and still have access to design software and on-line
resources. This allows teams of students to solve in-class problems
collaborating both face-to-face and via their Tablet PCs.
Therefore, using Tablet PCs, students can acquire valuable experience on
engineering design through in-class collaborative projects, which helps
deepen their understanding of course theory and better prepare them for
the industry design process.
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Active-learning Teaching Model
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In previous
quarters, EE442 was taught using PowerPoint, while EE347 was taught using
traditional whiteboard presentation. No matter what presentation method
was used, the delivery of knowledge was mainly passive, with very little
interaction.
Through the project, an active learning teaching model has
been developed to increase the student-professor and student-student
interaction. Using this model, student-centered learning is
promoted. The course material delivery is more dynamic using interactive
examples, and the course concepts are reinforced using in-class
collaborative projects. Students are divided into groups to work on
assigned projects. Interaction with with other teammates and the
Professor can be achieved easily using Tablet PCs. Real-time feedback can
be provided by the Professor to address student's questions, discussions
and other issues related to the design projects.
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Implementation
(technology)
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A number of
technologies is being used to support teaching and learning. First,
Tablet PC based presentation and note-taking software packages (including
Classroom Presenter, Windows Journals, inking-over features of MS Word
and PowerPoint, etc.) have been exploited and used in classroom
instruction. Second, networking management tools like EagleLink is
adopted to allow the instructor to interact with any student easily. In
addition, a real-time polling software has been developed to facilitate
learning outcome assessment.
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Impact on Teaching
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Using the proposed active learning model, the
expected impacts on teaching include:
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Improved classroom instruction efficiency--Tablet PC based dynamic presentation help to bring
out the best of both
teaching delivery systems, presentation slides and interactive blackboard
delivery.
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A shift from teacher-centered learning to
student-centered learning.
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More interaction among students, more active
classroom atmosphere.
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A better solution to enhance students' design
ability using Tablet PC based in-class projects.
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More efficient and unbiased assessment of the
students' learning using developed real-time polling software.
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Impact on Student
Learning
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The impact of the proposed active-learning model on
student learning can be summarized as follows:
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Students' satisfaction is significantly increased.
The students' satisfaction survey conducted in Fall 2005 showed that
almost 100% of the students expressed "Tablet PC is very helpful in
learning". Majority of the students founds the "Tablet-PC based
project is very impressive and very helpful in improving design
skills".
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Students' design ability is enhanced. Comparison of
the project performance revealed that completion rate of the term
projects is increased by more than 10% with the new teaching model.
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Students' understanding on course material is
improved. The average performance on exams is better in Fall quarter 2005
than the previous quarters.
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Students' presentation skills and team skills are
significantly improved. Class presentation performance showed that the
students become more confident and more organized in presenting their
design.
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The following graph
illustrates the setting of the collaborative design projects. Students
are grouped together to complete part of the design process and conduct
system integration as well as testing. The design results can be easily
demonstrated to the entire class using Tablet PC. Instructors interact
with the students to provide immediate feedback to any questions and
observed problems. In
addition, design solutions can be shared and interactively updated.
The following
picture shows students working in groups.
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Quick Facts
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Courses
Impacted:
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EE347 -- Computer Logic Design
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EE442 -- Multimedia Networking
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Students Impacted: 42 during Fall and Winter Quarters. Estimate 80
students per year.
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Faculty Involved: two faculty members in Computer Engineering, Dr.
Warter-Perez and Dr. Dong, are responsible for the redesign of the
computer architecture and computer network curriculum, respectively.
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