A Study Of The Effectiveness Of Computer-Aided Instruction For The Improvement Of Hands-On Engineering Technology Education

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a specific CAI courseware in helping undergraduate students to learn and perform hands - on laboratory experiments in ap plied electrical and computer engineering education. The subjects of this study were students in an undergraduate applied electrical and computer engineering technology (ECET) program at a public Indiana college. These students were required to take two core electrical engineering courses: ECET 111 (Introduction to Electrical Circuits) and ECET 112 (Digital Computer Fundamentals). The subjects were students who have utilized the CAI system for hands - on laboratory experiments for both of these core courses . The sample for this study consisted of 100 students who have taken the two required ECET courses mentioned above. Faculty and administrators directly involved with the use of the CAI courseware were also interviewed to collect information regarding their opinions and reactions on the implementation and operation of the CAI system. For this evaluation of effectiveness of CAI, three different types of data were collected: interview data from instructors and administrators, student survey data via an onlin e survey, and student data test scores from the CAI’s LMS. All three forms of data collected were accomplished gathered and analyzed after the implementation and termination of the CAI project. In summary, the results of this study suggest that both stud ents and faculty reacted positively to the use of the CAI system. The data also affirm that the facilities, labs, and hours of operation of the CAI were adequate. Furthermore, there is agreement among administrators, instructors, and students, that the CA I system helped students to achieve their educational goals while instructors taught and students learned. Lastly, it can also be observed from the data collected that the majority of students and faculty were in agreement that the CAI was an effective met hod to teach and learn in the area of electronics and computer engineering technology education.