Analysis of Mobile Technology Impact on STEM-based Courses, Specifically Introduction to Engineering in the Era of the iPad

Abstract

received his B.S. and master's in electrical engineering from the University of Texas, El Paso, with a special focus on data communications. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering. Perez has been teaching the Basic Engineering (BE) BE 1301 course for more than five years. He led the design for the development of the new BE course (now UNIV 1301) for engineering at UTEP: Engineering, Science, and University Colleges. He developed more than five new courses, including UTEP technology and society core curriculum classes specifically for incoming freshman with a STEM background. Perez has eight years of professional experience working as an electrical and computer engineer, providing technical support to faculty and students utilizing UGLC classrooms and auditoriums. Perez is committed to the highest level of service to provide an exceptional experience to all of the UGLC guests. Perez strongly believes that by providing exceptional customer service that UGLC patrons will return to make use of the various services the university offers. Perez enjoys working on the professional development of the student employees at the UGLC. He shares with his student employees his practical experience in using electrical engineering concepts and computer technologies to help in everyday real-world applications. Perez has worked with the UTeach program at UTEP since its creation to streamline the transition process for engineering students from local area high schools to college by equipping their teachers with teaching strategies and technologies each summer. Perez enjoys teamwork and believes in education as a process for achieving lifelong learning, rather than as a purely academic pursuit. He currently works on maintaining, upgrading, and designing new computer classroom systems. Perez is inspired because he enjoys working with people and technology in the same environment.

Full Paper: Integrating the iPad Into the Engineering Classroom

“…Since the release of the iPad, its use and suitability for the engineering and first-year engineering classroom has been studied with results disseminated through ASEE conferences. In 2012, it was reported [3] that use of the iPad in an introductory engineering course had positive impacts on the learning environment and the perceived learning impact from using the device; it was also reported that students in the iPad section maintained an academic performance on par with students in traditional sections. In 2013, at a different institution, it was found [4] that students reported high expectations and a high desire to use iPads in engineering courses, and after one semester of use, students reported a decrease in the perceived academic benefits of the iPad and a decreased interest in their continued use.…”