George Watson University of Delaware Problem-Based Learning and Circuits for Non-Science Majors 122 nd AAPT National Meeting San Diego, CA January 8, 2001

SCEN103 at the University of Delaware Silicon, Circuits, and the Digital Revolution

Designed to promote scientific and computer literacy and awareness, SCEN103 gives students an opportunity to leverage their interests in everyday devices and high-tech objects into a study of fundamental science concepts. Live demonstrations, in-class group explorations of technology applications, and daily work with the Internet are essential elements of SCEN103. The course: SCEN103 in Spring 2000 was an Honors colloquium designed to introduce first-year students to some of the science behind high technology. link

Working in small groups, students also created websites devoted to science and technology topics. This year’s colloquium was designed as a pilot Pathways Course during the discussion of General Education Reform at UD. Much of the learning in Spring 2000 SCEN103 was done with problem-based learning. A key feature of the writing-intensive work for this colloquium was the student’s setup and development of a personal website. link

Broad Course Objectives: Explain the basic operation of electrical circuits, simple semiconductor devices, and integrated circuits. Analyze simple electrical circuits to assess their function and effectiveness. State and describe fundamental scientific principles underlying modern electronic devices. Identify the contributions of science and technology to everyday life. link

Communicate technical ideas orally and in writing. Evaluate the information content of Internet resources. Use graphical and other multimedia elements effectively in a webpage. Create an informative and organized website devoted to presenting a topic of technical interest from various perspectives. Interpret graphical data and construct graphs to communicate ideas. Construct technical information into a logical framework for decision making. Establish a frame of mind where quantitative reasoning is embraced. Work effectively in a group to solve complex problems. Access timely, relevant, and authoritative information for problem solving. link

Problem-Based Learning in SCEN103 SCEN103 relies heavily on PBL with students working collaboratively in groups to solve real-world problems. Students learn to apply simple scientific concepts, find and evaluate scientific and technical information, and communicate ideas about science and technology to others. Discussions led by the course instructor, plus supplementary lectures, help to give a context and conceptual framework to the problems. link

Why PBL in SCEN103? The rate of generation of new information in the scientific and technical sectors is truly staggering. Information becomes outdated rapidly and is updated constantly; much of what will be needed to know in the workplace following graduation has not been generated yet! Thus identifying when new information is needed, where to find it, how to analyze it, and how to communicate it effectively are essential skills to learn in college. An important result of PBL is that while problems are used to identify what to learn, the process of learning "how to learn" is also developed. This method of instruction has been chosen to help develop skills important for success both in the students’ undergraduate education and in their professional life following graduation. link

What is effective learning in SCEN103? Effective learning is much more than memorizing information to answer questions on examinations. Learning is a process that culminates in the ability: to ask the right questions and frame good problems, to acquire information and evaluate sources of information, to critically investigate and solve problems, to make choices among many alternatives, to explain concepts to others (both orally and in writing), and to generalize to new situations. Problem-Based Learning helps develop these abilities! link

A Problem-Based Learning Approach to Simple Electrical Circuits Incorportating PBL problems, Other collaborative exercises, and Hands-on laboratory exercises. Link to list of activities and assignments for SCEN103 Spring 2000 Link to schedule of classes for SCEN103 Spring 2000

Crossed Circuits PBL #1 Energy = power x time Two roommates argue about perceived use of electrical energy. Who should pay more towards the utility bill? link

Hairdryers: How much power? Lab #1 Power = current x voltage Students bring in their hairdryers and test all settings. A relationship is discovered among the three circuit quantities while checking the manufacturers’ claims. link

A San Francisco Treat PBL #2 Parallel circuits Household wiring Power ratings of appliances Electrical wiring plans are formulated for a building conversion using floorplans from a “This Old House” project. link

Electrical Energy Use in the World? Exercise #1 Globalization for Pathways Course objective Student groups use the CIA’s online World Fact Book to accumulate regional electrical energy use and investigate sources of discrepancies. link

PBL #3 Resistance and Ohm’s law Mark and Tim Allen rewire a toaster for more power by using hairdryer parts. More Power! link

Resistivity and Play-Doh Lab #2 Resistance of a cylinder (wire) Students roll out cylinders of various diameters and find a relationship among resistance and geometric factors. link

Spring Break Adventure PBL #4 Synthesis of cylinder resistance, Ohm’s law, and Electrical power Students investigate the circuit concepts behind the operation of two familiar battery testers. link

Batteries and Bulbs Lab #3 Series and parallel combinations Students work from the simplest possible circuit to the challenging circuit on the left and its companion on the right. link

Penetration rates of major consumer products in U.S. households Exercise #3 Historical aspects of electrical use link

Lights Out! PBL #5 Batteries and internal resistance Energy capacity Circuit Design Students attempt to design a flashlight from a 6V lantern bulb and two AAA cells that will last for five hours. link

Problem-Based Learning at the University of Delaware Institute for Transforming Undergraduate Education