"Assessment of an Individualized, Self-Contained System in Electrical Circuits Laboratory"

A pilot study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of a teaching protocol employing an individualized, self-contained laboratory system for instruction in a fundamental electrical circuits laboratory.For purpose of evaluation, students were divided into two academically matched groups.The control group utilized traditional laboratory equipment and performed their weekly laboratory assignments as two member teams.The study group used the Electronics Explorer TM Board (EEBoard) from Digilent to perform their weekly laboratory assignments individually at a time and location of their preference.The students were evaluated based on their individual performance on a final laboratory practicum exam which provided a metric of their acquired and retained laboratory knowledge and proficiency.The students who participated in the study group performed at a higher level on the final lab practicum than did the control group.When the students in the control group were partitioned in order to select the dominant team member, their final lab practicum scores approached the EEBoard group scores.Results from this pilot study indicated that an individualized laboratory system such as the Electronic Explorer TM Board potentially enhanced the students laboratory knowledge and proficiency compared with students who worked in two member teams utilizing traditional laboratory equipment.