The use of an Arduino pocket lab to increase motivation in Electrical engineering students for programming

Abstract

Electrical engineering students at the authors institution, completes a module on programming's and microcontrollers in their first year of studies. This module was previously run with C++ programming for PCs in one semester, and assembly and C programming for PIC18 microcontrollers in the following semester. The programming of microcontrollers was mostly completed using simulators instead of real chips. The use of simulators was mostly due to practical difficulties in using real chips, that were taking up too much time from the students, hindering them rather than helping them to gain programming skill. It is the authors firm belief that to learn how to program the students are required to use time for practical work, and spend that time programming not troubleshooting. The experience was unfortunate is that many of the students gave up and the results was poor. In 2013 a complete revision of the module was completed. The module is now run in one semester, the PIC18, PC, and assembly programming is replaced by development for the Arduino platform. The Arduino platform is an open source project that includes software and hardware, and are getting well known. The students taking the module are offered to purchase their own start packages that contains an Arduino board and a selection of sensors and actuators. The students then have their own little lab and can work with it wherever and whenever they want. Motivating students are also easier when they see actual movement or other actions taking place in front of their own eyes instead of just measuring changing voltage levels on output of a microcontroller or even worse on a simulator. The first part of the semester consists of lectures and practical assignments that are relevant for that specific week, the second part consists of a larger practical project that students have to complete and present at the end of the semester. This practical project replaces the traditional written exam. This setup has proven to be exciting for the students and their level of knowledge after completing this module has increased significantly compared to the previous setup.