A New Pedagogy in Electrical A New Pedagogy in Electrical and Computer Engineering: and Computer Engineering:

A Conceptual ApproachA Conceptual Approach

Zeynep DilliZeynep Dilli11, Neil Goldsman, , Neil Goldsman, Janet A. Schmidt, Lee Harper and Janet A. Schmidt, Lee Harper and

Steven I. MarcusSteven I. Marcus

University of Maryland, College ParkUniversity of Maryland, College ParkDept. of Electrical and Computer EngineeringDept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering

(1) (1) dilli@eng.umd.edu

Hypothesis:Hypothesis:We can teach We can teach college-level electronicscollege-level electronics with applications to with applications to high-school high-school students students by emphasizingby emphasizing concepts. concepts.

Research ProblemResearch Problem

Can we teach elements of advanced Can we teach elements of advanced technology at an early level on a technology at an early level on a conceptual basis?conceptual basis?

• Developed an experimental Developed an experimental program for high-school studentsprogram for high-school students

• Covers fundamental ECE areasCovers fundamental ECE areas• Lecture and laboratory componentsLecture and laboratory components• Uses concepts and experience Uses concepts and experience

rather than higher mathematics rather than higher mathematics and theoryand theory

• Enthusiastic student response: Enthusiastic student response: Successful lab experiments, good Successful lab experiments, good exam results, survey answersexam results, survey answers

IntroductionIntroduction

• Teach college-level electronics with the following Teach college-level electronics with the following features in mind:features in mind:– Enjoyable experiential introduction to ECEEnjoyable experiential introduction to ECE– Teach within context of a specific project or applicationTeach within context of a specific project or application– Hands-on laboratory experienceHands-on laboratory experience– Conceptual background for later analytical studyConceptual background for later analytical study

• ProvidingProviding– Early exposure to ECE material Early exposure to ECE material – Relevance and contribution of ECE to daily lifeRelevance and contribution of ECE to daily life– Assistance for an informed career choiceAssistance for an informed career choice

• Evaluate the conceptual vs. mathematical approachEvaluate the conceptual vs. mathematical approach

Program GoalsProgram Goals

• Distillation of sophomore & junior level college Distillation of sophomore & junior level college coursescourses

• Topics introduced:Topics introduced:– Overview of ECEOverview of ECE– Basic electronics & signal conceptsBasic electronics & signal concepts– PN-junction diodes, operational amplifiers, filtering, PN-junction diodes, operational amplifiers, filtering,

bipolar junction transistorsbipolar junction transistors– Basic hi-fi amplifier design, implementation and Basic hi-fi amplifier design, implementation and

fabricationfabrication– Digital logic & digital circuits, computer technologyDigital logic & digital circuits, computer technology– Opto-electronicsOpto-electronics

• Kolb Learning Styles represented: Convergers Kolb Learning Styles represented: Convergers and Assimilatorsand Assimilators

Syllabus DesignSyllabus Design

• Immediate links to the real world for every Immediate links to the real world for every syllabus pointsyllabus point– Electric field concept Electric field concept cathode ray tubes cathode ray tubes– Frequency/amplitude of signals Frequency/amplitude of signals pitch and loudness of pitch and loudness of

musical notesmusical notes– Rectification Rectification AC-DC conversion, power supplies AC-DC conversion, power supplies– Operational amplifiers Operational amplifiers summing, subtracting, summing, subtracting,

differentiating amplifiersdifferentiating amplifiers– Filtering Filtering Stereo equalizers Stereo equalizers– Hi-fi audio amplifier: Students fabricated their ownHi-fi audio amplifier: Students fabricated their own– Digital logic design Digital logic design Vending machine algorithm Vending machine algorithm– Photonics Photonics Arcade game LaserAim Arcade game LaserAim

• Getting students to identify the fruits of Getting students to identify the fruits of technology in daily life; contributing to self-technology in daily life; contributing to self-motivationmotivation

Syllabus Features---Syllabus Features---Practical LinksPractical Links

Practical Link Example: Hi-Practical Link Example: Hi-fi Amp Projectfi Amp Project

Two-channel amp schematicTwo-channel amp schematic

Optional tone control circuitOptional tone control circuit

Hi-fi Amp ProjectHi-fi Amp ProjectStudents built their own Students built their own amplifiers, taking homeamplifiers, taking home working electronics working electronics of of theirtheir own handiwork and own handiwork and experience…experience…

……a piece of electronics a piece of electronics thatthat concretely concretely illustrates illustrates the first ¾ of the first ¾ of the course usingthe course using sound sound (and vision, and solder (and vision, and solder scent), scent), as well as as well as intellect.intellect.