Active learning, hardware projects and reverse instruction in microwave/RF education

Author

Pejcinovic, Branimir ; Campbell, Richard L.

Author_Institution

Electr. & Comput. Eng. Dept., Portland State Univ., Portland, OR, USA

fYear

2013

fDate

9-11 Oct. 2013

Firstpage

259

Lastpage

262

Abstract

We report on our lessons-learned regarding teaching microwave/RF classes at PSU for the last five years. Central themes of our pedagogy involve having students do as much as possible by themselves (active learning), using authentic/realistic projects, and using the lab for true experimentation, which encourages failure-iteration cycles. Students are given many different opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and abilities with projects and soft-skills (writing, presentations) playing a prominent role. We also discuss the role of misconceptions and how they hamper student learning, and propose development of a concept inventory for microwave/RF education. Such a development may provide a significant boost in the effectiveness of microwave/RF education.

Keywords

electronic engineering education; microwaves; project management; student experiments; PSU; active learning; authentic projects; failure-iteration cycles; hardware projects; microwave/RF classes; microwave/RF education; pedagogy; presentations; realistic projects; reverse instruction; soft-skills; student abilities; student knowledge; student learning; student skills; teaching; true experimentation; writing; Circuit synthesis; Education; Microwave circuits; Microwave communication; Microwave filters; Radio frequency; active learning; concept inventories; microwave/RF education; projects;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Radar Conference (EuRAD), 2013 European

Conference_Location

Nuremberg

Type

conf

Filename

6689163