An applications-oriented freshman-level electrical circuits course

An electrical circuits course with an integrated learning laboratory has been developed at Northern Arizona University (USA) featuring real-world applications oriented to all engineering disciplines. This paper describes how this course is structured, the central role of the learning laboratory in this course, the impact on learning by the utilization of up-to-date computer controlled laboratory equipment and the benefits and relevance of real-world applications in motivating students. Findings concerning the effectiveness of this hands-on approach to motivating students, enhancing their life-long learning skills and providing exposure to real world applications of electrical circuits in their field of study are presented. In addition, the importance and benefits of an instrumented resource center that is available to all students throughout their undergraduate career is discussed.