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，以支持初级线性电路分析的教学。它正在扩展一个原型系统，以涵盖传统两学期线性电路课程中的主题。该系统可以生成具有随机拓扑和直流、稳态交流和暂态电路的元素值的电路问题；允许学生学习与傅立叶分析、拉普拉斯变换、波德图和三相电路相关的概念。问题解决方案使用各种特殊的教学功能，包括为纠正学生常见的误解而设计的练习。该系统接受丰富多样的输入，如方程式、重新绘制的电路图、波形图、矩阵方程式，以及传统的数字和多项选择答案。这种基于网络的系统在亚利桑那州立大学、UVA、ND和UOP的线性电路类中以各种方式进行使用和评估。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该软件系统，该团队正在证明该系统可以为教师提供快速反馈，并加强学生的学习-在学生最困难的领域。BROADER意义该项目直接影响到4300多名学生，并对工程教育产生重大影响，因为不同学科的许多工程学学生都在学习电路课程。预计该系统将非常适合纳入处理这一主题领域的大型在线开放课程(MOOC)。通过使用交互式练习，在问题的每一步向学生提供快速反馈，提高了学生的参与度。该团队还在开发教程编写界面和执行引擎，允许教程编写者(例如，教师)通过使用电路生成和解决方案模块的功能来设计更有效的辅导序列。该方法适用于电气工程的其他学科领域，也适用于其他工程学科。一些较简单的基本电路属性教程和模块正在通过一个专门为此目的而设计的网站向高中生和普通公众提供。

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.