2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Perception Study of an Online Electricity and Magnetism Course for Working Students

Presented at Engineering Physics and Physics Division (EP2D) Technical Session 1

Teaching basic sciences to engineering students online, specifically for "working students," presents a unique challenge. It is contentious whether the conventional method of instruction employed in traditional daytime undergraduate programs is the most suitable for such a diverse group of students. Working students have limited time and energy due to work and family commitments, weak mathematical and conceptual foundations, and, for most of them, no plans for postgraduate studies or scientific research. This study analyzed students' perceptions regarding developing a quarterly electricity and magnetism course for an engineering program tailored to working students and delivered online. This was achieved through a perception survey across various parallel sections of the same course. This research gathered evidence on the factors and elements that could enhance students' perception and interest in the subject. These findings could serve as input and a precedent for a future reformulation of this and similar courses, transitioning from their current format—a "compressed" version of the analogous course in the traditional daytime undergraduate program—to one that considers the interests and needs of working students and is better adapted to their realities.

Authors

Rodrigo Alonso Vergara Universidad Andres Bello, Chile [biography]

Rodrigo Vergara is an electronic engineer who has dedicated his professional life to teaching physics and electronics at the university level in various institutions. He has two master's degrees, one in electronic engineering and the other in university teaching. He has a particular interest in using and applying new technologies for education.
Prof. Genaro Zavala http://orcid.org/https://0000-0001-5880-1124 Tecnologico de Monterrey, Mexico; Universidad Andres Bello, Chile [biography]

Genaro Zavala is the leader of the Socially Oriented Interdisciplinary STEM Education Research Group of the Institute for the Future of Education at Tecnologico de Monterrey. He collaborates with the Faculty of Engineering, Universidad Andres Bello in Chile. He is National Researcher Level 2 in Mexico. His research lines are interdisciplinary STEM education, social oriented education, conceptual understanding, active learning, assessment tools, and faculty development. Dr. Zavala was appointed to the editorial board of the PRPER (2015-18). In the AAPT, he was a vice-presidential candidate, member of the Committee on Research in Physics Education, member and chair of the International Education Committee, and elected member of Leadership Organizing Physics Education Research Council .

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