Collaborative Research: Implementation and Evaluation of a Sustainable Computer-Based Tutoring System for Introductory Linear Circuit Analysis

参与机构：亚利桑那州立大学（ASU - Lead）弗吉尼亚大学（UVA）圣母大学（ND）太平洋大学（UOP）科罗拉多州立大学（CSU）项目描述该项目正在开发和评估一个计算机辅助辅导系统，以支持初等线性电路分析的教学。它正在扩展一个原型系统，以涵盖传统的两学期线性电路课程的主题。该系统可以生成具有随机拓扑结构和直流、稳态交流和瞬态电路的元件值的电路问题;允许学生学习与傅立叶分析、拉普拉斯变换、波特图和三相电路相关的概念。问题的解决方案是使用各种特殊的教学功能，包括练习，旨在纠正常见的学生误解。该系统接受丰富多样的输入，如方程、重新绘制的电路图、波形草图、矩阵方程以及传统的数值和多项选择答案。基于网络的系统正在ASU，UVA，ND和UOP的线性电路课程中以各种方式使用和评估。丹尼尔罗宾逊博士（CSU）正在对这些机构收集的定性和定量学生学习数据进行严格的评估和分析。通过在各种公立和私立学校测试软件系统，该团队证明该系统可以为教师提供快速反馈，并提高学生的学习-在学生最困难的领域。更广泛的意义该项目直接影响了4300多名学生，并对工程教育产生了重大影响，因为许多不同学科的工程专业学生都选修电路课程。预计该系统将非常适合纳入解决这一主题领域的大规模开放式在线课程（MOOC）。通过使用互动练习，在问题的每一步向学生提供快速反馈，学生的参与度正在提高。该团队还在开发一个教程创作界面和执行引擎，允许教程作者（例如，教师）设计更有效的教学序列，通过使用电路生成和解决方案模块的功能。该方法适用于电气工程的其他学科领域，以及其他工程学科。一些关于基本电路特性的简单教程和模块正在通过为此目的设计的网站向高中生和公众提供。

PARTICIPATING INSTITUTIONS: Arizona State University (ASU - Lead)University of Virginia (UVA)University of Notre Dame (ND)University of the Pacific (UOP)Colorado State University (CSU)PROJECT DESCRIPTION This project is developing and evaluating a computer-aided tutoring system to support the teaching of elementary linear circuit analysis. It is expanding a prototype system to cover topics in a traditional two-semester linear circuits course. The system can generate circuit problems with random topologies and element values for DC, steady-state AC, and transient circuits; allowing students to study concepts related to Fourier analysis, Laplace transforms, Bode plots, and three-phase circuits. Problem solutions are produced using a variety of special pedagogical features, including exercises designed to correct common student misconceptions. The system accepts a rich variety of inputs such as equations, re-drawn circuit diagrams, waveform sketches, matrix equations, as well as conventional numerical and multiple-choice answers. The web-based system is being employed and evaluated in a variety of ways in linear circuit classes at ASU, UVA, ND, and UOP. Dr. Daniel Robinson (at CSU) is conducting rigorous evaluation and analysis of the resulting qualitative and quantitative student learning data collected at these institutions. Through testing the software system in a variety of public and private schools, the team is demonstrating that the system can provide rapid feedback to instructors and enhance student learning - in areas that students have the most difficulty.BROADER SIGNIFICANCE The project is directly impacting more than 4300 students and having a significant effect on engineering education, since many engineering students in various disciplines take circuits courses. It is also expected that the system will be highly suitable for incorporation into massive open on-line courses (MOOCs) addressing this subject area. Student engagement is being increased through the use of interactive exercises that provide rapid feedback to students at each step of a problem. The team is also developing a tutorial authoring interface and execution engine that allows tutorial writers (e.g., instructors) to design more effective tutoring sequences by using the features of the circuit generation and solution modules. The approach is adaptable to other subject areas in electrical engineering, as well as other engineering disciplines. Some of the simpler tutorials and modules on basic circuit properties are being made available to high school students and the general public via a website designed for that purpose.