Step-based tutoring system for introductory linear circuit analysis

Systematic Review of Rigorous Research in Teaching Introductory Circuits

“…The highest quality papers are characterized by replicability, the involvement of multiple researchers, and experimental design which guards against bias. Skromme et al is a particularly good example of control design: students from the same class section are randomly assigned to the experimental or control group, and data is collected from both student performance and student evaluation [7]. The design is strong because experimental and control groups are distinguished by a single variable (application of the teaching method), and a variety of data (grades, surveys) was collected to evaluate the experiment.…”

Interactive Editing of Circuits in a Step-based Tutoring System

“…Specifically, step-based systems caused improvements of 0.76σ, compared to 0.31σ and 0.79σ for answer-based systems and human tutors, respectively (σ denotes standard deviation) [1]. Previously, we have described a step-based tutoring system in the domain of linear circuit analysis, which is a crucial gateway course in the education of both electrical and many nonelectrical engineers [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. This system features automatic problem generation, where an unlimited number of unique circuit diagrams (not just element values) are created for every user.…”

“…Prior controlled, randomized experiments have shown a 1.21σ improvement in learning on writing nodal analysis equations and identifying elements in series and parallel in a laboratorybased experiment and a corresponding improvement of 0.91σ in student motivation [3,4]. A classroom-based assessment in Fall 2014 using random assignment to compare this system to complete nodal and mesh analysis exercises to using the commercial WileyPLUS system found a 0.41σ improvement in that homework score (p < 0.008) [7]. It was also observed that 32-34% of WileyPLUS users voluntarily completed additional problems in the step-based system for no credit, whereas no users of the step-based system did the reverse [7].…”

Interactive Tutorial System for Linear Circuit Analysis: Impact on Learning and Novel Tutorials

“…2,3,[15][16][17][18] These problems are presented as diagrams laid out on a square grid (for convenience in avoiding graphical interferences), which can however represent any planar circuit of reasonable size (on a grid of up to 5 × 5 squares). The usable grid size and numbers of nodes, meshes, and each type of circuit element (independent voltage & current sources, dependent sources of both types, resistors, capacitors, inductors, and normally-closed and normally-open single-pole switches) can all be specified (consistent with the relationships that must hold among these quantities).…”

“…8 In the following, recently added modules and capabilities in the program are discussed, which extend the previous work on this system. 2,3,[15][16][17][18] Recent experiments to evaluate the effect of this system on student learning using randomized, controlled trials and to measure student satisfaction with the tool are then described.…”