Our experience from the use of innovative technologies in teaching “Electrical engineering” during the Covid-19 pandemic
Diana Stoyanova1*, Silviya Stoyanova-Petrova2, Nadezhda Kafadarova3, Sotir Sotirov4, Nevena Mileva5
1Asst. Prof. Dr., Plovdiv University "Paisii Hilendarski", BULGARIA, dstoyanova@uni-plovdiv.bg
2Assoc. Prof. Dr., Plovdiv University "Paisii Hilendarski", BULGARIA, si.vest.pet@uni-plovdiv.bg
3Assoc. Prof. Dr., Plovdiv University "Paisii Hilendarski", BULGARIA, nadezhda.kafadarova@gmail.com
4Assoc. Prof. Dr., Plovdiv University "Paisii Hilendarski", BULGARIA, ssotirov22@gmail.com
5Prof. Dr., Plovdiv University "Paisii Hilendarski", BULGARIA, nevena.mileva@gmail.com
*Corresponding Author
Abstract
The emergency transition from face-to-face to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic proved to be a challenge for academics all over the world. They urgently needed to change their curricula, teaching methods and assessment to adapt to the new situation, namely: the limited face-to-face contact and access to laboratories.
In this paper we present our experience in teaching "Electrical engineering" at the Faculty of Physics and Technology of Plovdiv University during the lockdown. The described educational technology was developed within the framework of the project “New trends in Electrical engineering” training in a pandemic", which started in 2021. The main goal of the project is implementation of innovative methods and tools which will help engineering students develop practical skills during distance or blended learning, namely:
• Use of the project-based approach aimed at pre-training students before attending laboratory classes;
• Inclusion of simulation labs (using Multisim Live) in the curriculum via which students gain knowledge in building circuits using simulation software;
• Use of a system for remote access to the laboratory equipment, developed by a team of Plovdiv University;
• Use of QR codes during the face-to-face laboratory exercises. Every measuring instrument in the Electrical engineering laboratory has an attached QR code. After scanning the QR codes students get access to instructional videos demonstrating the work with the instruments.
The pilot experiment was conducted during the first semester of the 2021/2022 academic year with second-year students majoring in “Information and computer engineering”. The results from the performed observations, questionnaires, the grades received from individual assignments on Multisim Live and from the students’ laboratory worksheets, give us reason to believe that the developed educational technology is effective in the conditions of distance or blended learning.
Keywords: Blended learning, distance learning, electrical engineering, pandemic, QR code.
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