A Student Designed, Web-based Learning Program for Circuit Analysis

There are many topics in an undergraduate electrical engineering curriculum which are amenable to programmed learning. Traditionally, such instruction is achieved by means of a hard copy programmed text that the student works through, looking at solutions after completing an exercise and moving ahead or going back for remediation as necessary. Web based programmed learning has a particular advantage over traditional media because student actions can be captured electronically as the student works through the materials. This information can be used as valuable feedback for both instructor and student. The review and intelligent processing of the actions that the student takes to navigate through the programmed instruction can reveal important information regarding the nature and frequency of errors made. For example, an instructor can require all students to do web-based programmed instruction as a homework exercise; the subsequent aggregated feedback allows the instructor to pinpoint the most troublesome aspects of the material. Computer science students at the United States Military Academy (USMA) have designed a prototype web based application for performing electrical circuit analysis instruction as a senior design project. Details of the prototype and early experiences for applying it to an undergraduate engineering course are described here. Plans for future extensions of material development and management are summarized.