Development of User-Friendly Microcomputer-Based Instructional Aids for Introductory Courses in Electrical Engineering

与学习质量、保留有风险的学生以及向传统上代表性不足的群体成功提供这类课程有关的先进技术教育的问题已受到全国的关注。这些问题在新墨西哥州和其他州引起了重大关注，因为在这些州，大量学生的背景往往既没有榜样，也没有追求技术职业的激励。该项目通过开发、实施和评估交互式动画软件辅助程序来解决这些问题，以增强两年的技术指导。主要关注的领域包括交流电路的矢量分析和电磁装置和原理的演示，这些构成了许多课程的基础，不仅是电气技术专业的学生，而且是机械、土木和其他工程、技术和科学分支的学生。基于成功将这些技术应用于高等院校和工业相关教学项目的丰富经验，开发人员正在将这些想法扩展到低等院校的本科技术课程。该项目正在与新墨西哥州的五个两年制机构和两个国家实验室合作进行，新墨西哥州立大学（NMSU）作为主要合作伙伴。新墨西哥州立大学历来吸引了许多来自这些合作学校的学生，并且是美国国家科学基金会赞助的新墨西哥州少数民族参与联盟（AMP）计划的牵头大学。

Development of User-Friendly Microcomputer-Based Instructional Aids for Introductory Courses in Electrical Engineering Issues concerning advanced technological education relating to quality of learning, retention of at-risk students, and the successful availability of such programs to traditionally underrepresented groups have received national attention. Such issues are of significant concern in New Mexico and other states where a substantial number of students come from backgrounds which often include neither role models nor incentives to pursue technical careers. This project is addressing these concerns through development, implementation, and evaluation of a program of interactive, animated software aids for enhancement of two-year technological instruction. Primary areas of attention include vector analysis of AC circuits and demonstration of electromagnetic devices and principles, which form the basis of many courses taken not only by electrical technology students but also by those in mechanical, civil, and other branches of engineering, technology, and the sciences. Based upon extensive experience in successfully applying these techniques to upper-division and industrially related instructional programs, the developers are extending these ideas to the lower-division undergraduate technology curriculum. The project is being conducted in partnership with five two-year New Mexico institutions and two national laboratories, with New Mexico State University (NMSU) servings as the lead partner. NMSU historically attracts many students from these partner schools and is the lead university in the NSF-sponsored New Mexico Alliance for Minority Participation (AMP) program.