Signal Processing Education using a New Self-Directed Learning Methodology

This paper describes initial results of a project involving the development and application of novel signal processing education techniques. The work is part of a collaborative program between the School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Australia, and the Department of Electronic Engineering at the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUI Galway). The paper describes experiences to date with a new software tool, "VCPlayer", for capture, and self-paced replay of live lecture content in a digital format. This tool has been Mailed in both undergraduate and graduate signal processing courses at UNSW, and will shortly be used in further trials at NUI Galway. A detailed analysis of student evaluations following the UNSW trial is reported. The enhancements in student learning and positive feedback from both students and lecturing staff reveal the VCPlayer to be an extremely promising tool for self-directed learning