A design project approach to teach electronic instrumentation

A design project approach for teaching electronic instrumentation is discussed. A design project structure and methodology is proposed. Design project examples are presented. Practical as well as theoretical aspects for the design and implementation of signal conditioning and instrumentation devices are stressed through the projects. Projects are performed by student teams. Teams are required to design and implement an instrumentation system required to measure, display and store a chosen physical variable. These projects help students to understand theoretical and practical aspects of signal conditioning circuits and serve as active learning tools that accomplish a lot more than can be accomplished in the classroom even with design projects whose performance are only simulated in a computer.