Automated analysis of student solutions to design problems

The Teaching and Learning Technology Programme (TLTP) Electronic Design Education Consortium (EDEC) project is developing computer based learning (CBL) material to assist in the teaching of electronics to electronic engineering and computer engineering undergraduate and taught postgraduate courses. This material is divided into four themes one of which concentrates on the teaching of system and high level design. The abstract nature of the concepts involved in design means that the teaching of design to students is traditionally a difficult task. Experience has shown that the most effective way to perform this is to set the students design problems which they must solve using the tools available. The students´ lack of experience means that they will often make mistakes which will require demonstrator assistance to ensure that the exercise can be completed within an acceptable period of time. The CBL material being developed by the system and high level design theme of the EDEC project aims to replicate the standard learning environment while reducing the demands made on demonstrators