Abstract

E-learning became the mode of instruction for students worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic. Instruction was forced onto numerous online platforms quickly, some seamlessly and some not. For those not well versed in online education, the move of all forms of education, including hands-on, laboratory experiential learning, deprived students of new experiences, skills, and knowledge due to a lack of provisions to perform remotely. Uncertain of the pandemic’s duration as well as the future of hands-on education, these authors investigated new technology, equipment, and experiments that would provide a hands-on laboratory experience performed by students at a distance. In response to the laboratory learning dilemma, these authors compiled a distance laboratory kit with physical equipment and components, detailed supplemental instructions, and online communication software to provide a remote live laboratory learning experience for the summer. The new distance learning format was implemented in the summer semester course with students successfully demonstrating a fundamental understanding of electronics while troubleshooting complications with instructor assistance. The instructors determined that the online communication tools provided a timely response between students and instructors to complete work seamlessly and address feedback for course improvements. While the work was completed in a very challenging environment, the techniques and potential change to the learning environment provides the need to share successful implementation that supports the student’s learning experience. This paper documents the successful implementation of college-level hands-on laboratory experiments with electronics performed at a distance by students during the COVID-19 pandemic. While many laboratory classes transitioned to simulation software for experimentation, this course utilized physical equipment and components to conduct experiments and provide valuable experience, skills, and knowledge in the field of electronics off-campus.

Comments

© 2021 American Society for Engineering Education. Other scholars may excerpt or quote from these materials with the same citation. When excerpting or quoting from Conference Proceedings, authors should, in addition to noting the ASEE copyright, list all the original authors and their institutions and name the host city of the conference.

Keywords

Active Learning, Laboratory Experiments, Hands-On, e-learning

Date of this Version

7-2021

Published in:

Schreiber, Z., Herrick, R. J., & Lucietto, A. M. (2021, July). Active Experiential Learning at a Distance. In 2021 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference Content Access.

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