Work in progress - Design of interactive learning objects for improvement of digital electronics teaching and learning in high school and distance learning universities

• Published in: 2011 Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE) pp. T4C-1 - T4C-2
• Main Authors: Martin, S., Fabuel, J. J., Sancristobal, E., Castro, M., Peire, J.
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 01.10.2011
• Subjects: Adaptation models; Animation; Blended learning; Computer aided instruction; digital electronics; Educational institutions; Integrated circuit modeling; interactive simulation; Radiation detectors; Visualization
• ISBN: 1612844685; 9781612844688
• ISSN: 0190-5848; 2377-634X
• DOI: 10.1109/FIE.2011.6142794

This paper introduces the use of interactive animations in a blended learning approach for a digital electronics course. These interactive animations help students in the concepts acquisition, thanks to their visual and interactive features. The designed animations include all kind of logic gates (e.g., OR, AND, NOR; NAND, EXOR), Boole's algebra, many combinational and sequential circuits (e.g., coders, decoders, multiplexors, demultiplexors, comparators, synchronous and asynchronous flip-flops, chronograms, synchronous and asynchronous counters, and shift registries). These interactive animations have been embedded in many examples, exercises and auto-evaluation exams, which facilitate the understanding of the different concepts. Besides, these interactive animations have been encapsulated as learning objects and included in a learning object repository. Thus, anyone in the Web can search, find and use these digital resources. Finally, these interactive animations have been used in two different environments: high school and distance learning university. A different methodology has been used in each one of these environments to fit its requirements.