Efficacy of antenna engineering research orientation among graduate students at Mekelle University Ethiopian Institute of Technology

Abstract

The continual growth of antenna-based technologies has created an exponential demand for well-qualified workforce of antenna engineer/researchers, but the expertise for a smooth transition into job market is lagging. This study presents the effectiveness of using hybrid-flipped model integrated with educational technologies in a graduate Antenna Theory and Design course, and the influence it has on orienting students toward antenna research. This is important because graduate research in emerging technologies with good results will open the gateway for job and the prospect of a scholarship for higher education. The effectiveness of the proposed study is evaluated using the following metrics: (a) student response to the hybrid-flipped learning, (b) impact of educational technology on student learning, and (c) educational outcome toward antenna engineering research. Result of the study indicates that the number of students choosing antenna research increased from 14% in 2014–15 to 42% in 2015–16 and reaching to 70% in 2016–17, and the number of students for year 2017–18 is 77% Results of the study also reflect research in diverse antenna technologies with good research output to merit publication in journals of international repute.

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“…This also requires teachers to change their ideas and concepts in the teaching process, constantly improve the level of information technology, enrich the content of the classroom, learn from each other, and cultivate professional and comprehensive talents suitable for social development. 18…”

An empirically-based practical-realistic pedagogic mathematical model for teaching and learning of an antenna theory and design course

“…More so, Karam (2014) and Mohammed (2019) supported this by confirming that the identifying and understanding of the design problem so the designer can arrive at an accurately designed device with little or no deficiency, which is clearly important when teaching and learning MM in antenna theory and design.…”

“…All these knowledge help us in an antenna wave" (interview). This stage ties with the researchers' views who argued that the use of software, which includes the computer simulation technology (CST) microwave studio software, and other simulation software, which were readily available at the university, along with Ansoft wave propagation and Hewlett Packard's EEsoft, which help the academics and experts in teaching about the strength and gain of an antenna (Balanis, 2016;Mohammed, 2019;Soliman, 2019). Therefore, teaching the application of software is necessary to allow leaners to understand the workability of their designed antenna.…”

“…In order to improve on this, these researchers advocate the use of mapping of meaning, a problem solving approach, epistemological framing and physical mapping, which should help the electronics engineering experts in modelling their mathematical ideas with fewer problems. On the other hand, some researchers suggest that the use of non-trivial approach in teaching antenna design will go a long way towards assisting the electronics engineering students in interpreting mathematical concepts for the physical reality (Karam, 20014;Mohammed, 2019).…”

“…This another stage that assist in checking the accuracy of the antenna device designed using software. Engineering academics and students would make use of equipment such as an RF generator, a spectrum analyzer, a vector network analyzer, and RF power meter analyzer, among others (Balanis, 2016;Honchel & Miller, 2001;Mohammed, 2019;Soliman, 2019).…”