HOME->Tablet PC Initiative

Active Learning by Utilizing Tablet PCs in an Electrical Engineering Curriculum

Impact on Student Learning

Impact on Teaching

Technology Integration

Best Practices Based on Instructor/Student Comments

Poster Presentation

Student Video on Tablet PC in the Classroom

Project Abstract
In May 2007, Penn State Harrisburg received an HP Technology for Teaching grant to encourage the transformation of teaching and learning. Faculty members Hossein Jula, AB Shafaye, and Mohammad Tofighi, are working with Carol McQuiggan and Anthony Clauto from the Faculty Center for Teaching and Instructional Technology, the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence, and Engineering Instructional Services in the College of Engineering, to integrate HP Tablet PCs into the electrical engineering curriculum. Their goal is to design, create, and implement a continuum of courses incorporating active learning into the discipline. We anticipate that students using tablet PCs for active learning will be more engaged with the course topics, have more opportunities for collaborative learning, and show improved performance on course assessments.

Quick Facts
This project is funded in part by a 2007 HP Technology for Teaching grant.
Department:                  Electrical Engineering
Courses:                       CSE 271, Introduction to Digital Systems
                                    E ENG 361, Electromagnetics
                                    E ENG 433, Control Systems
# Students Impacted:    CSE 271, 36 (Fall 2007) + 36 (Fall 2008)
                                    E ENG 361, 40 (Spring 2008) + 40 (Spring 2009)
                                    E ENG 433, 24 (Fall 2007) + 24 (Fall 2008)
Project Team:               Hossein Jula, Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering
                                    AB Shafaye, Senior Instructor of Electrical Engineering
                                    Mohammad Tofighi, Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering
                                    Carol McQuiggan, Instructional Designer
                                    Anthony Clauto, Multimedia Support Specialist

Rationale
This project is aimed at addressing the challenges presented by traditional lecture-based engineering courses including passive and uninvolved students, a lack of individualized instruction, and inefficient methods for collaborative learning. Using tablet PCs, electrical engineering students will have access to necessary design and computation tools to solve small in-class projects collaboratively, and share their processes and results with each other. Tablet PCs will help to integrate computer simulation tools within analytical calculations during the class, resulting in better understanding by the students. Real-time learning supported through active learning and class assessments is much more transparent with the ability to see and hear their learning during class activities. The process and product of their learning become visible. This enables the instructor and students to take early steps to identify and resolve any gaps in the learning process.

Contact Information
Principal Investigator: Dr. Hossein Jula, Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering, hjula@psu.edu
Instructional Designer: Carol McQuiggan, cam240@psu.edu

Footnote: Course name changes to take effect in Spring 2008.

• CSE271 to CMPEN 271
• E ENG 361 to E E 330
• E ENG 433 to E E 481

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School of Science, Engineering, and Technology
Programs in Electrical Engineering and Electrical Engineering Technology
Penn State Harrisburg
W-256 Olmsted Building
777 West Harrisburg Pike
Middletown, PA 17057

Telephone: (717) 948-6093
Facsimile: (717) 948-6352