2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Many foundational concepts in engineering education—such as electromagnetic fields, rotating machines, and Faraday’s and Lenz’s laws—are mathematically elegant but difficult for students to visualize and internalize. Traditional lecture methods often rely on equations, chalkboard sketches, or static slides, requiring students to imagine dynamic processes without tangible reinforcement. As a result, students frequently report gaps in comprehension and confidence, even after repeated instruction. Physical demonstrations embedded directly into lectures provide a promising way to bridge this gap, offering real-time, concrete experiences that make abstraction visible and interactive.
To address this challenge, we have developed LecXbit (Lecture eXhibition), a platform of cost-effective physical demonstration kits designed to enhance classroom teaching of abstract electrical and electromagnetic concepts. LecXbit builds on the principle that learning is strengthened when students first encounter a concept abstractly and then immediately see its physical manifestation. Two implementations of LecXbit, piloted in separate courses, illustrate its role and impact on student learning.
The first implementation is investigated in a third-year Fundamental Energy Systems Course. Student feedback prior to LecXbit consistently highlighted difficulties in understanding magnetic flux interactions and the arrangement of windings in stators and rotors of a three-phase AC electric machine. LecXbit addressed these challenges with transparent models, iron dust to visualize flux in real time, and modular 3D-printed parts for robustness and quick classroom setup. Designed with low-voltage drivers and compact assembly, the kit balances portability in reduced weight and safety for lecture settings. A semester-long pilot revealed that students developed a clearer conceptual understanding and were able to more confidently link diagrams with machine behavior, as reflected in surveys and in-class engagement.
The second implementation extends LecXbit to a second-year introductory electromagnetics course. Concepts such as Faraday’s Law, Lenz’s Law, and the basic principles of AC/DC machine operation are essential yet often highly abstract for beginners. LecXbit models for these topics were fabricated using 3D printing and laser cutting, at approximately 70–90% lower cost than commercial kits, allowing customization and scalability. Unlike traditional demonstrations performed solely by instructors, these models were designed for direct student interaction. Learners manipulated coils, magnets, and rotors, observing immediate cause-and-effect relationships. In a controlled teaching study, two groups were evaluated: Group A received instruction through traditional abstract methods without demonstrations, while Group B was taught using the same abstract introduction followed by LecXbit demonstrations. When assessed for their understanding, Group B consistently outperformed Group A across all questions, demonstrating the effectiveness of combining physical demonstrations with traditional lecture methods.
Taken together, the LecXbit implementations highlight that physical demonstrations are most effective when used to complement, rather than replace, traditional exposition. Introducing concepts abstractly first, then reinforcing them with demonstrations, helps students recognize the limits of abstraction and deepen understanding. At the same time, safety and accessibility are vital for classroom adoption; LecXbit addresses these needs through low-voltage operation, modular design, and cost-effective fabrication. Early results show gains in comprehension, confidence, and engagement, underscoring LecXbit’s value as a scalable approach to experiential learning.