Effectiveness of computer-aided learning as a direct replacement for lecturing in degree-level electronics

The application of computer-aided learning as a direct replacement for, as opposed to an adjunct to lecturing, is still in its infancy in higher education. This paper examines some of the reasons for its slow uptake and then describes a project to develop courseware for a large proportion of the Electronic Engineering syllabus within several United Kingdom higher education institutions. The first modules to be completed cover the area of Computer Engineering. We describe the philosophy and design of this courseware, and then report a series of tests in which the examination performance of students using it was compared with that of control groups taught in traditional lectures. The results clearly suggest that carefully designed courseware can lead to a large reduction in teaching time, with no significant difference in learning. We then describe the development of this courseware into what is believed to be the first degree-level Electrical Engineering course module to be replaced in its entirety by computer-based self-teaching. We discuss the impact of this development on the course structure, and show how the time gained has been used for additional practical work and tutorial support. Animated excerpts from this material are available by anonymous FTP.