APPLYING ACTIVE LEARNING IN THE ELECTROMAGNETISM CLASS: A FIVE-YEAR ASSESSMENT

Jairo A. Hurtado, Manuel R. Perez, Juan M. Cruz

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

The intrinsic difficulty of studying electromagnetism added to the ignorance of its implications and applications in our daily life has reduced the number of students who would probably work in this area at the end of their careers. Although it is an opportunity for them to learn and strengthen their professional profile, students usually perceive the electromagnetism class only as a degree requirement. To increase the interest of students in the study of electromagnetism and the utility value of its applications, as well as to improve the general perception and positive attitude of students towards this course, we have implemented and tested an active learning approach (Project-based learning -PBL-) since 2014. These changes were motivated by the adoption of a new CDIO-based curriculum in the electronic engineering program at the Javeriana University in Colombia. The purpose of this article is to illustrate the results obtained by five years of direct and indirect evaluation of students in electromagnetism classes, in terms of their learning graduality of key topics in the field, difficulty perception about learning them, and the general perception of the class. This evaluation was conducted over five years, comparing two different class sections each semester. A class section adopted PBL and active learning within the CDIO framework and the other section (which functioned as a control group) was taught using traditional methodology. In the class section taught with PBL and active learning, the results showed significant improvements in the general perception of the Electromagnetism class, in the learning of complex subjects, and the knowledge of the applications of electromagnetism. Likewise, the results show an increase in the interest of students to get involved in more projects related to electromagnetism later in their undergraduate studies.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication18th CDIO International Conference, CDIO 2022 - Proceedings
EditorsMaria Sigridur Gudjonsdottir, Haraldur Audunsson, Arkaitz Manterola Donoso, Gudmundur Kristjansson, Ingunn Saemundsdottir, Joseph Timothy Foley, Marcel Kyas, Angkee Sripakagorn, Janne Roslof, Jens Bennedsen, Kristina Edstrom, Natha Kuptasthien, Reidar Lyng
PublisherChalmers University of Technology
Pages599-609
Number of pages11
ISBN (Electronic)9789935965561
StatePublished - 2022
Externally publishedYes
Event18th International CDIO Conference, CDIO 2022 - Reykjavik, Iceland
Duration: Jun 13 2022Jun 15 2022

Publication series

NameProceedings of the International CDIO Conference
ISSN (Electronic)2002-1593

Conference

Conference18th International CDIO Conference, CDIO 2022
Country/TerritoryIceland
CityReykjavik
Period6/13/226/15/22

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Education
  • Engineering (miscellaneous)
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

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