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Lab in a box: Redesigning an electrical circuits course by utilizing pedagogies of engagement

Publication ,  Journal Article
Davis, C; Younes, R; Bairaktarova, D
Published in: International Journal of Engineering Education
January 1, 2019

A lecture-based theoretical approach is frequently utilized when teaching courses in electrical circuits and the educational learning objectives are often limited solely to content learning. This paper describes how a lecture-based electrical circuits' course was redesigned utilizing pedagogies of engagement to produce an environment that stimulates creativity and allows for the following additional learning objectives to be pursued: (1) improvement of hands-on skills, (2) increase in design abilities, and (3) teaming/collaboration proficiency. Educators are often deterred from pursuing these additional learning objectives in a large classroom or when there is lack of space and equipment. In this study, a "lab in a box" approach is outlined and shown to overcome these deterrents and foster an environment of student engagement. An inexpensive and easy-to-maintain portable kit was developed to enable approximately 300 undergraduate students each year to build and design electrical circuits. While teaching a course titled ENGR 2431-DC Circuits for years in a traditional large lecturebased classroom, the instructor was eager to adopt an alternative pedagogy to increase students' intrinsic motivation and overall engagement in the class. The expected benefits of the project in the near term were to increase student engagement and add three additional learning objectives to the course. After implementing the "lab in a box" project in a large classroom, survey data and observational experiences provided an indication that students are more engaged and in control of their learning.

Duke Scholars

Published In

International Journal of Engineering Education

ISSN

0949-149X

Publication Date

January 1, 2019

Volume

35

Issue

2

Start / End Page

436 / 445

Related Subject Headings

  • Education
  • 40 Engineering
  • 39 Education
  • 13 Education
  • 09 Engineering
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Davis, C., Younes, R., & Bairaktarova, D. (2019). Lab in a box: Redesigning an electrical circuits course by utilizing pedagogies of engagement. International Journal of Engineering Education, 35(2), 436–445.
Davis, C., R. Younes, and D. Bairaktarova. “Lab in a box: Redesigning an electrical circuits course by utilizing pedagogies of engagement.” International Journal of Engineering Education 35, no. 2 (January 1, 2019): 436–45.
Davis C, Younes R, Bairaktarova D. Lab in a box: Redesigning an electrical circuits course by utilizing pedagogies of engagement. International Journal of Engineering Education. 2019 Jan 1;35(2):436–45.
Davis, C., et al. “Lab in a box: Redesigning an electrical circuits course by utilizing pedagogies of engagement.” International Journal of Engineering Education, vol. 35, no. 2, Jan. 2019, pp. 436–45.
Davis C, Younes R, Bairaktarova D. Lab in a box: Redesigning an electrical circuits course by utilizing pedagogies of engagement. International Journal of Engineering Education. 2019 Jan 1;35(2):436–445.

Published In

International Journal of Engineering Education

ISSN

0949-149X

Publication Date

January 1, 2019

Volume

35

Issue

2

Start / End Page

436 / 445

Related Subject Headings

  • Education
  • 40 Engineering
  • 39 Education
  • 13 Education
  • 09 Engineering