Abstract:
Contribution: This article describes how a peer learning strategy called student-led tutorials (SLTs) can improve student performance in an electromagnetism course (EM). ...Show MoreMetadata
Abstract:
Contribution: This article describes how a peer learning strategy called student-led tutorials (SLTs) can improve student performance in an electromagnetism course (EM). This study provides empirical evidence on how promoting student active participation in collaborative problem-solving activities improves performance rates. Background: In 2019, an EM bachelor course introduced SLTs as a strategy to improve the 40% passing rates. Before SLTs, students perceived this course as very hard, uninteresting, disengaging, and nonfundamental to their studies. Intended Outcomes: A participatory environment that promotes active learning can deepen understanding of EM through problem discussion and peer collaboration. Application Design: This study uses an action research approach to analyze teaching practices and students performance. Based on this analysis, SLT is implemented and the results are examined. Drawing on professors’ research on engineering education, traditional practice hours were transformed into SLT hours. Passing rates before and after the intervention were compared and correlated with SLT participation. In-depth qualitative interviews with students were conducted to understand how SLT related to their learning process. Findings: Since the intervention, the course passing rates increased 20%. More importantly, the grade distribution changed from a steep double exponential shape to a normal curve suggesting more students are doing better. There is a positive correlation between SLT participation and student performance. Students highly valued SLTs as a teaching strategy because it allowed discussion, enabled keeping up with the course pace, and created a culture of collaboration. Students also valued the mandatory aspect of SLTs, though they mentioned it increased the course workload.
Published in: IEEE Transactions on Education ( Volume: 66, Issue: 4, August 2023)
Funding Agency:
Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Ramiro Serra received the B.S. degree in electronic engineering from the Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 2000, the postgraduate degree specializing in technological applications of nuclear energy from Instituto Balseiro, Bariloche, Argentina, in 2004, and the Ph.D. degree in electronics and communications engineering from the Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy, in 2009.
He is currently a...Show More
Ramiro Serra received the B.S. degree in electronic engineering from the Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 2000, the postgraduate degree specializing in technological applications of nuclear energy from Instituto Balseiro, Bariloche, Argentina, in 2004, and the Ph.D. degree in electronics and communications engineering from the Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy, in 2009.
He is currently a...View more
School of Education, National University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
Cecilia Martinez received the bachelor’s degree in educational sciences from the National University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina, in 1999, and the Ph.D. degree in educational policy from Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA, in 2006.
She is currently an Adjunct Professor with the School of Education, National University of Córdoba and a Professional with the Instituto de Humanidades, CONICET (National Research Age...Show More
Cecilia Martinez received the bachelor’s degree in educational sciences from the National University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina, in 1999, and the Ph.D. degree in educational policy from Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA, in 2006.
She is currently an Adjunct Professor with the School of Education, National University of Córdoba and a Professional with the Instituto de Humanidades, CONICET (National Research Age...View more
Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Cornelis J. C. Vertegaal (Graduate Student Member, IEEE) was born in Boxmeer, The Netherlands, in 1994. He received the bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering from the Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands, where he is currently pursuing the Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering.
His work is based around the design of a low-frequency antenna system for CubeSat applications. Furt...Show More
Cornelis J. C. Vertegaal (Graduate Student Member, IEEE) was born in Boxmeer, The Netherlands, in 1994. He received the bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering from the Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands, where he is currently pursuing the Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering.
His work is based around the design of a low-frequency antenna system for CubeSat applications. Furt...View more
Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Prem Sundaramoorthy received the Bachelor of Engineering degree in telecommunication engineering from Bangalore University, Bengaluru, India, in 2001, the M.Sc. degree in aerospace engineering from the Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands, in 2007, specializing in astrodynamics and satellite systems, and the Ph.D. degree from the Delft University of Technology in 2018 for his thesis titled “Enhanced Dist...Show More
Prem Sundaramoorthy received the Bachelor of Engineering degree in telecommunication engineering from Bangalore University, Bengaluru, India, in 2001, the M.Sc. degree in aerospace engineering from the Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands, in 2007, specializing in astrodynamics and satellite systems, and the Ph.D. degree from the Delft University of Technology in 2018 for his thesis titled “Enhanced Dist...View more
Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Mark J. Bentum (Senior Member, IEEE) was born in Smilde, The Netherlands, in 1967. He received the M.Sc. degree (with Hons.) in electrical engineering from the University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands, in August 1991, and the Ph.D. degree from the University of Twente in December 1995 for his thesis “Interactive Visualization of Volume Data.”
From December 1995 to June 1996, he was a Research Assistant with the Univ...Show More
Mark J. Bentum (Senior Member, IEEE) was born in Smilde, The Netherlands, in 1967. He received the M.Sc. degree (with Hons.) in electrical engineering from the University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands, in August 1991, and the Ph.D. degree from the University of Twente in December 1995 for his thesis “Interactive Visualization of Volume Data.”
From December 1995 to June 1996, he was a Research Assistant with the Univ...View more
Contents Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Ramiro Serra received the B.S. degree in electronic engineering from the Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 2000, the postgraduate degree specializing in technological applications of nuclear energy from Instituto Balseiro, Bariloche, Argentina, in 2004, and the Ph.D. degree in electronics and communications engineering from the Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy, in 2009.
He is currently an Assistant Professor with the Laboratory of EMC, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
Dr. Serra is a member and the Vice-Chair of the International Steering Committee of EMC Europe and a member of the International TPC of EMC Compo. He is the Chairman of URSI Commission E of The Netherlands and the Secretary of URSI National Committee of The Netherlands. He is also the co-convener of the SC 77B/CISPR-A Joint Working Group for the Standard IEC 61000–4-21 on reverberation chambers. He is a Topic Editor of Electronics.
Ramiro Serra received the B.S. degree in electronic engineering from the Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 2000, the postgraduate degree specializing in technological applications of nuclear energy from Instituto Balseiro, Bariloche, Argentina, in 2004, and the Ph.D. degree in electronics and communications engineering from the Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy, in 2009.
He is currently an Assistant Professor with the Laboratory of EMC, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
Dr. Serra is a member and the Vice-Chair of the International Steering Committee of EMC Europe and a member of the International TPC of EMC Compo. He is the Chairman of URSI Commission E of The Netherlands and the Secretary of URSI National Committee of The Netherlands. He is also the co-convener of the SC 77B/CISPR-A Joint Working Group for the Standard IEC 61000–4-21 on reverberation chambers. He is a Topic Editor of Electronics.View more
School of Education, National University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
Cecilia Martinez received the bachelor’s degree in educational sciences from the National University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina, in 1999, and the Ph.D. degree in educational policy from Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA, in 2006.
She is currently an Adjunct Professor with the School of Education, National University of Córdoba and a Professional with the Instituto de Humanidades, CONICET (National Research Agency). Her expertise is in computer science education and professional development.
Cecilia Martinez received the bachelor’s degree in educational sciences from the National University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina, in 1999, and the Ph.D. degree in educational policy from Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA, in 2006.
She is currently an Adjunct Professor with the School of Education, National University of Córdoba and a Professional with the Instituto de Humanidades, CONICET (National Research Agency). Her expertise is in computer science education and professional development.View more
Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Cornelis J. C. Vertegaal (Graduate Student Member, IEEE) was born in Boxmeer, The Netherlands, in 1994. He received the bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering from the Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands, where he is currently pursuing the Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering.
His work is based around the design of a low-frequency antenna system for CubeSat applications. Furthermore, he is doing research toward improving education.
Cornelis J. C. Vertegaal (Graduate Student Member, IEEE) was born in Boxmeer, The Netherlands, in 1994. He received the bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering from the Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands, where he is currently pursuing the Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering.
His work is based around the design of a low-frequency antenna system for CubeSat applications. Furthermore, he is doing research toward improving education.View more
Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Prem Sundaramoorthy received the Bachelor of Engineering degree in telecommunication engineering from Bangalore University, Bengaluru, India, in 2001, the M.Sc. degree in aerospace engineering from the Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands, in 2007, specializing in astrodynamics and satellite systems, and the Ph.D. degree from the Delft University of Technology in 2018 for his thesis titled “Enhanced Distributed Space Systems With Miniature Spacecraft.”
From 2002 to 2005, he worked as a Scientist-B with the Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAV) Systems Group, Aeronautical Development Establishment, Bengaluru, responsible for system integration of UAVs. From 2012 to 2018, he was affiliated with the Delft University of Technology as a Lecturer and a Researcher with the Space Systems Engineering Group. He is currently a Researcher with the Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands, where he is part of a core team developing an AI-based education tool to actively predict student performance in graduate courses. He is also an Adjunct Professor with the University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy, where he teaches Spacecraft and Space Mission Design to graduate students. He also delivers lectures on general systems engineering with the Delft University of Technology. His current interests include space mission design, distributed space systems, and course development and innovation in graduate education.
Prem Sundaramoorthy received the Bachelor of Engineering degree in telecommunication engineering from Bangalore University, Bengaluru, India, in 2001, the M.Sc. degree in aerospace engineering from the Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands, in 2007, specializing in astrodynamics and satellite systems, and the Ph.D. degree from the Delft University of Technology in 2018 for his thesis titled “Enhanced Distributed Space Systems With Miniature Spacecraft.”
From 2002 to 2005, he worked as a Scientist-B with the Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAV) Systems Group, Aeronautical Development Establishment, Bengaluru, responsible for system integration of UAVs. From 2012 to 2018, he was affiliated with the Delft University of Technology as a Lecturer and a Researcher with the Space Systems Engineering Group. He is currently a Researcher with the Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands, where he is part of a core team developing an AI-based education tool to actively predict student performance in graduate courses. He is also an Adjunct Professor with the University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy, where he teaches Spacecraft and Space Mission Design to graduate students. He also delivers lectures on general systems engineering with the Delft University of Technology. His current interests include space mission design, distributed space systems, and course development and innovation in graduate education.View more
Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Mark J. Bentum (Senior Member, IEEE) was born in Smilde, The Netherlands, in 1967. He received the M.Sc. degree (with Hons.) in electrical engineering from the University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands, in August 1991, and the Ph.D. degree from the University of Twente in December 1995 for his thesis “Interactive Visualization of Volume Data.”
From December 1995 to June 1996, he was a Research Assistant with the University of Twente in the field of signal processing for mobile telecommunications and medical data processing. In June 1996, he joined The Netherlands Foundation for Research in Astronomy (ASTRON). He was in various positions with ASTRON. In 2005, he was involved in the eSMA Project in Hawaii to correlate the Dutch JCMT mm-telescope with the Submillimeter Array (SMA) of Harvard University. From 2005 to 2008, he was responsible for the construction of the first software radio telescope in the world, low-frequency array (LOFAR). In 2008, he became an Associate Professor with the Telecommunication Engineering Group, University of Twente. From December 2013 till September 2017, he was also the Program Director of Electrical Engineering with the University of Twente. In 2017, he became a Full Professor of Radio Science with Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands. He is also the Head of the Radio Group, ASTRON. He is currently involved with research and education in radio science. His current research interests are radio astronomy, short-range radio communications, novel receiver technologies (for instance, in the field of radio astronomy), channel modeling, interference mitigation, sensor networks, and aerospace.
Prof. Bentum is the Chair of the IEEE Benelux Section and an Initiator and the Chair of the IEEE Benelux AES/GRSS Chapter, and has acted as a reviewer for various conferences and journals.
Mark J. Bentum (Senior Member, IEEE) was born in Smilde, The Netherlands, in 1967. He received the M.Sc. degree (with Hons.) in electrical engineering from the University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands, in August 1991, and the Ph.D. degree from the University of Twente in December 1995 for his thesis “Interactive Visualization of Volume Data.”
From December 1995 to June 1996, he was a Research Assistant with the University of Twente in the field of signal processing for mobile telecommunications and medical data processing. In June 1996, he joined The Netherlands Foundation for Research in Astronomy (ASTRON). He was in various positions with ASTRON. In 2005, he was involved in the eSMA Project in Hawaii to correlate the Dutch JCMT mm-telescope with the Submillimeter Array (SMA) of Harvard University. From 2005 to 2008, he was responsible for the construction of the first software radio telescope in the world, low-frequency array (LOFAR). In 2008, he became an Associate Professor with the Telecommunication Engineering Group, University of Twente. From December 2013 till September 2017, he was also the Program Director of Electrical Engineering with the University of Twente. In 2017, he became a Full Professor of Radio Science with Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands. He is also the Head of the Radio Group, ASTRON. He is currently involved with research and education in radio science. His current research interests are radio astronomy, short-range radio communications, novel receiver technologies (for instance, in the field of radio astronomy), channel modeling, interference mitigation, sensor networks, and aerospace.
Prof. Bentum is the Chair of the IEEE Benelux Section and an Initiator and the Chair of the IEEE Benelux AES/GRSS Chapter, and has acted as a reviewer for various conferences and journals.View more
