Teaching Reform of the Single-chip Microcomputer Curriculum based on PBL

Abstract

This paper has proposed a teaching reform method for the curriculum ‘Single-chip Microcomputer Applied Technology’ based on the concept of PBL. The improvement includes choosing the suitable SCM chips (MSP430), designing the pattern of the PBL class, and using the circuit simulation software, such as Proteus 8 and IAR, and MOOCs to promote students’ enthusiasm. A contrast experiment of two classes was done for one semester in the biomedical engineering major of Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences. The results of the experiment showed that PBL class performed better in encouraging excellent and middle-leveled students to learn by themselves. With the help of the improved class and the different educational technological tools, the population of high-score (8010) students in the PBL class is over 50% more than the ones receive the traditional course. Keywords—single-chip microcomputer; curriculum reform; PBL; circuit simulation