Visualizing Concepts in Electromagnetic Fields: Hands-On Experiments Using Student-Owned Laboratory Kits

A Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Light-Wave Sensing and Communication Project: Low-Cost, Portable, Effective, and Fun

“…", "Mindblowing", and "This is black magic". Additionally, students were asked to reflect about the influence of the experience on their evolving career interests in engineering in general [M = 4.7, SD = 0.6, (1) I am not interested in pursuing an engineering career: (5) I am strongly interested in pursuing a career in engineering], and sensing, communication, and optics technologies in particular [M = 3.7, SD = 0.9, (1) As an area of study, I am not interested in sensing, communication, or optics technologies: (5) As an area of study, I am strongly interested in sensing, communication, or optics technologies]. The vast majority of students (97%) appreciated for being selected for the opportunity and most students (84%) reported having more confidence in majoring in engineering as a result.…”

“…communication [1]- [5]. These misconceptions take on myriad forms, ranging from the fundamental (e.g., the distinction between particle radiation and EM radiation) [3], to the educational (e.g., as a subject, EM is too difficult and demanding) [4].…”

BYOE: Mobile Experiment for Signals and Systems - Analysis of a Guitar String

“…Experiments can reinforce and clarify the concepts, but most experiments are relegated to lab courses that are separate from the theoretical or lecture-based courses. It has been shown in other applications that cheap, portable experiments that can be done in class or at home by students can enhance the learning in lecture-based courses [2][3][4][5][6] . Recent advances in low-cost portable data acquisition boards, such as a Mobile Studio IOBboard 2 or a National Instrument myDAQ 7 , facilitate this type of pedagogy that more carefully integrates theory taught in traditional classes with experiments done traditionally in dedicated labs.…”

Incorporating Projects into a Theory-Based Electromagnetic Fields Course

“…Students have difficulties to make a connection between Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) and engineering applications due to the abstract nature of the subject matters. Some institutions reported that students' interest in EMF was waning due to the lack of hands-on activities [1]. One of the reasons behind this waning of interest is the missing connection between theory and applications.…”