"Efficacy of an Individualized, Self-Contained Instrumentation System in Electric Circuits Laboratory"

A study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of a teaching protocol employing an individualized, self-contained laboratory system for instruction in a fundamental electrical circuits laboratory.For purpose of evaluation, students were divided into three groups with academic matching between two of the groups.The control group utilized traditional laboratory equipment and performed their weekly laboratory assignments as two member teams.The study group used the Electronics Explorer TM Board from Digilent to perform their weekly laboratory assignments individually at a time and location of their preference.A third group performed their weekly labs individually utilizing traditional laboratory equipment.Students were evaluated based on their individual performance on a final laboratory practicum exam which provided a metric of their acquired and retained laboratory knowledge and proficiency.Students who participated in the EEBoard group performed at a higher level on the final lab practicum than did the control group.Results from this study indicated that an individualized laboratory system such as the Electronic Explorer TM Board enhanced the students' laboratory knowledge and proficiency compared with students who worked in two member teams utilizing traditional laboratory equipment.