Abstract:
Numerous efforts seek to increase awareness, interest, and participation in scientific and technological fields at the precollege level. Studies have shown these students...Show MoreMetadata
Abstract:
Numerous efforts seek to increase awareness, interest, and participation in scientific and technological fields at the precollege level. Studies have shown these students are at a critical age where exposure to engineering and other related fields such as science, mathematics, and technology greatly impact their career goals. A variety of advanced learning technologies have emerged to enhance learning, promote hands-on experiences, and increase interest in engineering. However, creating and sustaining technology-infused learning environments at the precollege level is a challenging task, as many schools have limited resources and expertise. Moreover, while numerous technology solutions are available to support ambitious engineering-learning goals, choosing the right technology to align to program goals and resources may be a daunting task. In this work, we fill the gap between the applicability of educational implements and suitable teaching methods for precollege engineering. We present an overview of available hardware- and software-based technologies, and characterize these technologies based on criteria such as median price, the type of learning activities fostered, and the required users' expertise levels. In addition, we outline how these technologies align with deductive and inductive teaching methods that emphasize direct-instruction, inquiry-, problem-, and project-based methods, as studies have shown these methods are effective for precollege engineering education.
Published in: IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies ( Volume: 5, Issue: 1, First Quarter 2012)
DOI: 10.1109/TLT.2011.16

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Arizona Tucson, Tucson, AZ, USA
Mario Riojas received the BS degree in computer engineering from CETYS University, Mexico, and the MS degree in electrical and computer engineering from The University of Arizona. Currently, he is working toward the doctoral degree in electrical and computer engineering at The University of Arizona. His active research is on precollege engineering education, ubiquitous computing, human-computer interaction, and technologi...Show More
Mario Riojas received the BS degree in computer engineering from CETYS University, Mexico, and the MS degree in electrical and computer engineering from The University of Arizona. Currently, he is working toward the doctoral degree in electrical and computer engineering at The University of Arizona. His active research is on precollege engineering education, ubiquitous computing, human-computer interaction, and technologi...View more

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Arizona Tucson, Tucson, AZ, USA
Susan Lysecky received both the MS and PhD degrees in computer science from the University of California, Riverside, in 2003 and 2006, respectively. Currently, she is working as an assistant professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Arizona. She coordinates research efforts for the Ubiquitous and Embedded Computing lab, and her current research interests include embedded syste...Show More
Susan Lysecky received both the MS and PhD degrees in computer science from the University of California, Riverside, in 2003 and 2006, respectively. Currently, she is working as an assistant professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Arizona. She coordinates research efforts for the Ubiquitous and Embedded Computing lab, and her current research interests include embedded syste...View more

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Arizona Tucson, Tucson, AZ, USA
Jerzy Rozenblit received the PhD degree from Wayne State University, Michigan, and the MS degree in computer engineering from The Technical University of Wroclaw, Poland. Currently, he is working as a professor of electrical and computer engineering at The University of Arizona. He serves as an associate editor of the ACM Transactions on Modeling and Computer Simulation, associate editor of the IEEE Transactions on System...Show More
Jerzy Rozenblit received the PhD degree from Wayne State University, Michigan, and the MS degree in computer engineering from The Technical University of Wroclaw, Poland. Currently, he is working as a professor of electrical and computer engineering at The University of Arizona. He serves as an associate editor of the ACM Transactions on Modeling and Computer Simulation, associate editor of the IEEE Transactions on System...View more

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Arizona Tucson, Tucson, AZ, USA
Mario Riojas received the BS degree in computer engineering from CETYS University, Mexico, and the MS degree in electrical and computer engineering from The University of Arizona. Currently, he is working toward the doctoral degree in electrical and computer engineering at The University of Arizona. His active research is on precollege engineering education, ubiquitous computing, human-computer interaction, and technological literacy. He is a member of the IEEE.
Mario Riojas received the BS degree in computer engineering from CETYS University, Mexico, and the MS degree in electrical and computer engineering from The University of Arizona. Currently, he is working toward the doctoral degree in electrical and computer engineering at The University of Arizona. His active research is on precollege engineering education, ubiquitous computing, human-computer interaction, and technological literacy. He is a member of the IEEE.View more

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Arizona Tucson, Tucson, AZ, USA
Susan Lysecky received both the MS and PhD degrees in computer science from the University of California, Riverside, in 2003 and 2006, respectively. Currently, she is working as an assistant professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Arizona. She coordinates research efforts for the Ubiquitous and Embedded Computing lab, and her current research interests include embedded system design with emphasis on self-configuring architectures, human-computer interaction, and facilitating the design and use of complex sensor-based system by nonengineers. She is a member of the IEEE and ACM.
Susan Lysecky received both the MS and PhD degrees in computer science from the University of California, Riverside, in 2003 and 2006, respectively. Currently, she is working as an assistant professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Arizona. She coordinates research efforts for the Ubiquitous and Embedded Computing lab, and her current research interests include embedded system design with emphasis on self-configuring architectures, human-computer interaction, and facilitating the design and use of complex sensor-based system by nonengineers. She is a member of the IEEE and ACM.View more

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Arizona Tucson, Tucson, AZ, USA
Jerzy Rozenblit received the PhD degree from Wayne State University, Michigan, and the MS degree in computer engineering from The Technical University of Wroclaw, Poland. Currently, he is working as a professor of electrical and computer engineering at The University of Arizona. He serves as an associate editor of the ACM Transactions on Modeling and Computer Simulation, associate editor of the IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man and Cybernetics, and a reviewer for a number of national and international funding agencies. In 1994/1995, he was Fulbright senior scholar and visiting professor at the Institute of Systems Science, Johannes Kepler University, Austria. He has also held visiting scientist appointments at the Central Research Laboratories of Siemens AG, Munich. His research and teaching include complex systems design and simulation modeling. His research in design has been supported by the US National Science Foundation, Siemens AG, Semiconductor Research Corporation, McDonnell Douglas, and the US Army Research Laboratories, where he was a research fellow. He is a senior member of the IEEE.
Jerzy Rozenblit received the PhD degree from Wayne State University, Michigan, and the MS degree in computer engineering from The Technical University of Wroclaw, Poland. Currently, he is working as a professor of electrical and computer engineering at The University of Arizona. He serves as an associate editor of the ACM Transactions on Modeling and Computer Simulation, associate editor of the IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man and Cybernetics, and a reviewer for a number of national and international funding agencies. In 1994/1995, he was Fulbright senior scholar and visiting professor at the Institute of Systems Science, Johannes Kepler University, Austria. He has also held visiting scientist appointments at the Central Research Laboratories of Siemens AG, Munich. His research and teaching include complex systems design and simulation modeling. His research in design has been supported by the US National Science Foundation, Siemens AG, Semiconductor Research Corporation, McDonnell Douglas, and the US Army Research Laboratories, where he was a research fellow. He is a senior member of the IEEE.View more