Use software simulation to foster student learning in microcontroller related LABs and projects

Principal Investigator:

Lijian Xu, Farmingdale State College

Microcontrollers are widely used in homes, offices, cars, factories, etc., and they have been an essential component of electrical and computer engineering education. Microcontrollers and their applications normally involve both software and hardware. It means that in microcontroller related LABs and projects, students often need to test and troubleshoot the software they develop on hardware platforms they build. This is often a challenging task for students because of the nature of software/hardware co-design. In this project, we aim at using software simulation to improve students’ learning experience in microcontroller LABs and projects. Specifically, we have the following objectives: i) to help the students complete their microcontroller related LABs and projects in a more manageable way; ii) to design simulation demos that can be used in lectures to help the students understand the course materials; and iii) to reach out to high school students with microcontroller simulations in order to promote their interests in studying STEM in college. Various assessment methods will be used to evaluate the project outcomes, based on which we will further improve and sustain the activities proposed in this project.

Co-PI’s and Key Partners:

Marjaneh Issapour, Professor, School of Engineering Technology, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology, Farmingdale State College
Carlos Jativa, Instructional Support Associate, School of Engineering Technology, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology, Farmingdale State College

Reports and Resources: