Teaching Embedded Microprocessor Systems by Enquiry-Based Group Learning

Engineers today are required both to have a mastery of ‘traditional’ technological skills and to be competent with a variety of ‘soft skills’ such as teamworking and the ability to present or sell their ideas. At the same time the technological skill requirements are broader. There is a gradual shif...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of electrical engineering & education Vol. 43; no. 1; pp. 1 - 14
Main Authors: Barnes, M., Bailey, M., Green, P. R., Foster, D. A.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.01.2006
Manchester University Press
Sage Publications Ltd
Subjects:
Aerospace Education
Applied sciences
College students
Computers
Curriculum subjects: programmes and methods
Design. Technologies. Operation analysis. Testing
Educational sciences
Electrical engineering
Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering
Electrical machines
Electronic Equipment
Electronics
Embedded systems
Engineering
Exact sciences and technology
Group Instruction
Integrated circuits
Integrated circuits by function (including memories and processors)
Learning
Learning Activities
Microprocessors
Problem Based Learning
Problem Sets
Regulation and control
Semiconductor electronics. Microelectronics. Optoelectronics. Solid state devices
Simulated Environment
Skill development
Soft Skills
Student Projects
Student Recruitment
Teaching Methods
Teamwork
Technical education
Technical Writing
Undergraduate Study
enquiry-based learning
student project
teamworking
embedded systems
Performance evaluation
Microcontroller
System design
Robotics
Technical Education
Learning
Boarded computer
Embedded systems
Computer hardware
Integrated circuit
Software
Microprocessor
ISSN:0020-7209, 2050-4578
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Engineers today are required both to have a mastery of ‘traditional’ technological skills and to be competent with a variety of ‘soft skills’ such as teamworking and the ability to present or sell their ideas. At the same time the technological skill requirements are broader. There is a gradual shift from knowledge of specialist fields, to engineers with a fluency in system integration and embedded system design. This paper describes the development of an undergraduate module in embedded systems design. The learning approach taken is that of a cooperative, enquiry-based project to build a small robot. This allows both technical skills and soft skills to be developed in a supportive environment. The student team is required to plan the design and construction of hardware and software for a unit built around an inexpensive commercial microcontroller. This paper describes the module design rationale, the structure given to the students, their performance and evaluates the educational results of what was a well-received learning activity.
Bibliography:SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-1
content type line 14
ISSN:0020-7209
2050-4578
DOI:10.7227/IJEEE.43.1.2