Development of a situated spectrum analyzer learning platform for enhancing student technical skills

Abstract

Electronic engineering industries require technical specialists to operate precision electronic instruments. However, limitations in course designs and equipment availability mean that only a few students are able to use the equipment in practical lessons within a limited timeframe. Also, instruction of techniques and skills are still mostly carried out in traditional lecture formats. Student–instructor and student–student interactions are clearly insufficient. When students encounter difficulties in their lesson, they are unable to obtain immediate assistance, resulting in gaps in their understanding. To address this issue, this study aims to create a situated spectrum analyzer learning platform based on situated learning theory. An interactive educational environment is created to instruct on how to operate a spectrum analyzer. A situated-based learning approach was used so that students would not be limited to memorizing concepts. Instead, they would be allowed to integrate and coordinate what they know to strengthen individual concepts and gain better problem solving skills. Additionally, in order to investigate the effect of the approach proposed, an experiment was conducted to evaluate any differences in learning performance, satisfaction, understanding and technical expertise.

Keywords:

• situated learning
• spectrum analyzer
• prior knowledge
• interactive learning

Acknowledgements

This paper was supported by the National Science Council of Taiwan under the grant number NSC99-2511-S-3-009 and partially supported by NSC100-2511-S-003-061-MY2. The authors would also like to thank Good Will Instrument Co., LTD for providing the spectrum analyzers. We also greatly appreciate the help provided by the company's engineer Cooper Liu for providing technical assistance and support during the development of the system as well as promoting the application of the completed system.

Notes on contributors

Dr. Chien-Pen Chuang is a professor in the Department of Industrial Education at National Taiwan Normal University. His research interests include Technical and Vocational Education, Instructional Strategies and Designs, and Educational Technology.

Dr. Min Jou received his Ph.D. in 1994 from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York. He is a professor in the Department of Industrial Education at National Taiwan Normal University. He received the Distinguished Professor award in 2013. His research interests include technological education, application of ICT technology in education, and mechatronics. Dr Jou is currently an editorial board member of the Creative Education, International Journal of Electronic Democracy, and The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology. He is a member of ASEE, SEFI, ASHE, and SEDA.

Dr. Yen-Ting Lin is a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Industrial Education at National Taiwan Normal University. He received his Ph.D. from the Department of Engineering Science at National Cheng-Kung University in 2010 and his MS degree from the Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering at Southern Taiwan University in 2006. His research interests include ubiquitous/mobile learning, collaborative learning, knowledge management, and artificial intelligence.

Cheng-Tien Lu received his MS degree from the Department of Industrial Education at National Taiwan Normal University. His research interests include electronic engineering.

Notes

*p < 0.05.

***p < 0.001.

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***p < 0.001.

*p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001.