Effects of In-class Hands-On Laboratories in a Large Enrollment, Multiple Section Blended Linear Circuits Course - Paper

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Rizky

This paper examines the impact of in-class hands-on laboratories on student performance in an undergraduate circuits course for non-majors. The course (ECE3710) uses a blended format combining video lectures from two MOOC offerings on Coursera with face-to-face active and collaborative learning. Small-scale mobile labs are integrated to support authentic practice. Assessment results indicate the lab experiences significantly improve performance and strengthen students’ confidence in lab-related course topics.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages27

Reading Time1 h 8 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Blended Learning

| | Ad | vances in Engineering Edu | cation | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | FALL 2016 Effects of In-class Hands-On Laboratories in a Large Enrollment, Multiple Section Blended Linear Circuits Course BONNI H. FERRI ALDO A. FERRI, DAVID M. MAJERICHAND AMANDA G. MADDEN Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta, GA ABSTRACT This paper examines the effects of hands-on learning in an undergraduate circuits class that is taught to non-majors; i.e. , students outside of electrical and computing engineering. The course, ECE3710, is taught in a blended format facilitated by the video lectures prepared for two Massive Open Online Courses developed for the Coursera Platform. Because of the video content covered outside of class, the face-to-face portion of the class is enhanced with a number of active and collaborative learning techniques, including the inclusion of small-scale, mobile, hands-on labs. The assessment results show that the laboratory experiences play a significant role in the enhancement of student performance. The labs also have the benefit of improving students’ confidence in course topics that are related to lab exercises. Key words: Blended classroom, hands-on learning, electric circuits, MOOCs. INTRODUCTION In engineering education, proponents of reform generally agree that student engagement through use of hands-on work and collaborative problem-solving promotes critical thinking, communication, and creativity (ASEE, 2014; IEEE, 2014; NAE, 2008) . The research on learning theory shows that ADVANCES IN ENGINEERING EDUCATION Effects of In-class Hands-On Laboratories in a Large Enrollment, Multiple Section Blended Linear Circuits Course facilitation of learning occurs when students are engaged with authentic experiences (Bransford, et al. , 2000) . Students who are taught with methodology grounded in active learning, cooperative learning, inquiry learning, problem-based learning, and just-in-time teaching are found to be more engaged with the course material, instructor, and/or peers (Smith, et al. , 2005) . New instructional technologies also keep students involved in their learning processes, engaged with the course material, and participating in meaningful discourse and exchanges with other students and instructor (Sandholtz, et al. , 1997) . It is very challenging to incorporate substantive student engagement in large enrollment classes and multi-section classes that are taught by a team of instructors of different experience levels. Circuits courses taught to non-electrical engineering majors typically have some of the highest enrollments of any engineering course since they are required by so many majors. These service circuits courses typically cover a wide number of analysis methods and principles, attempting to build on rudimentary physics and math concepts acquired in pre-requisite courses . The combination of the jam-packed syllabus, inconsistent prior knowledge, and the resistance of non-majors to learn material outside their discipline all contribute to the difficulty of teaching this material effectively. Changes to the format of large-scale engineering courses, such as circuits for non-majors, may be very challenging but offers the greatest opportunity to impact a large number of students. ECE3710 Circuits and Electronics is the Georgia Tech version of this circuits service course and is the focus of this paper. In particular, we will examine the impact of in-class hands-on laboratory experiences on student performance when these labs are implemented as part of a blended course format. Sections 1.1 and 1.2 motivate the study by giving background on blended learning and on hands-on laboratories. Section 2 describes the course structure and the inclass labs. Section 3 gives the methodology of the study at the results, and Section 4 is the summary. Blended Learning Starting in the summer of 2013, the Georgia Tech circuits and

FAQs

What is the main focus of the paper?

The paper studies how in-class hands-on laboratory experiences affect student performance in a blended circuits course for non-majors.

How is the course ECE3710 delivered in the blended format?

ECE3710 combines video lectures prepared for two Coursera-based MOOCs with face-to-face sessions that use active and collaborative learning activities, including hands-on labs.

What do the assessment results show about the laboratories?

The assessment results indicate that laboratory experiences play a significant role in enhancing student performance and improving confidence in lab-related topics.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Rizky