Accuracy problems' solutions in analog electronics course: Work in progress

Abstract

A longitudinal study researching engineering students' understandings of the concept of accuracy and error has been carried out during the last three years. The previous studies done by the researchers investigated general misunderstandings of the concept of accuracy and error among engineering students from different programs, and specific misunderstandings of those concepts among electrical and electronics engineering students in a Digital Electronics course. The studies showed insufficient students' understanding of these important engineering concepts. The current study researches students' achievements in solving problems that relate to the concepts of accuracy and to basic analog electronics concept of non-linearity and models. The research was carried out in April–June 2017 during an Analog Electronics course and includes 48 participants. A mixed methodology was applied. Two similar questionnaires with simple problems concerning the concept of accuracy were designed and incorporated into the learning process. 15 open interviews with the students after solving the first questionnaire were carried out. Students' written explanations and interviews were analyzed. It was found that engineering students with inadequate understanding of basic accuracy concepts struggle with interpreting the concepts of analog electronics while solving problems related to the matter. A moderate improvement of the students' knowledge in the answers on the second questionnaire was achieved after filling out the first questionnaire and after the lecturer's explanation of the concept in class. Including the issue in different engineering courses, using it in tutorials, labs and projects can improve students' understanding and their engineering skills.