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Improving Student Engagement in ECE Courses Through Interactive Textbooks

Introduction

Retention of engineering students is a concern for universities across the nation. More than half of STEM students don’t achieve their STEM degrees, as they fail out of their early STEM classes [1]. Specifically, while electrical engineering and computer engineering majors do a better job of attracting students, particularly underrepresented groups, at higher levels than other engineering disciplines, both fields still see sharp declines when comparing the number of students who start in the majors with the number of those same students who graduate [2].

While there are many ways to support students in electrical and computer engineering, improving one key student and instructor resource can improve student outcomes, engagement, and self-efficacy in succeeding in engineering courses -- textbooks. Converting textbooks from analog to digital and adding engaging, research-based interactivity with tracking provides two key benefits: 1) Students can receive instant feedback to reinforce understanding, and 2) instructors can easily pinpoint student misconceptions to focus on to ensure student success in courses. zyBooks are online interactive textbooks developed by STEM instructors that provide both of these benefits and more.

Engineering for Social Justice/Social Good

Among the diverse sessions at the 2024 ECEDHA Annual Conference was the Engineering for Social Good/Social Justice Panel. This session highlighted innovative ways to integrate these vital concepts into the ECE curriculum. Moderated by Dr. Ramiro Jordan, a University of New Mexico professor, the panel featured contributions from Dr. Darshan Karwat of Arizona State University and Dr. Otsebele Nare of Hampton University. The panelists discussed their educational strategies and the real-world applications that prepare students to tackle societal challenges through engineering solutions.

Dr. Nare shared his account of curriculum adaptation at Hampton University, which faced the challenge of reducing their credit hours while maintaining robust educational offerings. The solution was creatively integrating courses like engineering ethics into general education, enhancing the interdisciplinary nature of their programs. This initiative not only streamlined their curriculum but also aligned it closely with the needs of a rapidly evolving professional landscape. This adjustment not only met credit requirements but also enhanced the integration of ethical considerations into the core curriculum. Hampton University and the University of Virginia initiated a collaborative approach, allowing students from diverse backgrounds to interact and engage in joint projects. This method has fostered a mutual-benefit ethos, enriching the participants' academic and practical learning experiences. 

Dean's Perspective Panel

During the 2024 ECEDHA Annual Conference, the Dean’s Perspective Panel provided an enlightening discussion on leadership challenges and the evolving roles within academic administration.

The panel featured:

• Mingyan Liu (Alice L. Hunt Collegiate Professor of Engineering, Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, University of Michigan)
• Jill Nelson (Associate Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering; Associate Dean, Undergraduate Programs in the CEC) 
• Kathleen Melde ( Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs and Inclusion, College of Engineering and Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering)

Navigating Career Transitions

Dr. Mingyan Liu opened the discussion by addressing the challenge deans face as they move away from direct engagement with faculty and students. She highlighted the importance of continuing to teach, even in an administrative role, as a way to maintain connections within the academic community. Dr. Kathleen Melde shared her journey and the decisions involved in moving from department head to an associate dean position. Drawing on the advice of mentors and reflecting on her experiences during periods of institutional change, Dr. Melde stressed the significance of understanding and adapting to the cultural dynamics of different departments within a university.

Cliff Ortmeyer

Global Head of Technical and North America Marketing

Newark Electronics

Q. Tell us about Newark, its history, mission and products.

A. Newark is a fast and reliable distributor of products and technology for electronic and industrial system design, maintenance and repair. From research and design through prototype to production, Newark’s global reach helps its customers access the products and services they need 24/7. With more than 90 years of experience, and a dedicated team of over 3,500 employees, Newark provides every component its customers need to build the technology of tomorrow.

Q. Tell us about your responsibilities as Newark's Global Head of Technical and North America Marketing.

A. I manage regional marketing for Newark’s US, Canada and LATAM business, as well as technical marketing globally for Newark’s, Farnell’s and element14’s businesses.  One of my key responsibilities is developing customer-centric strategies focusing on every phase of the product lifecycle, from designing and prototyping, to building and maintaining. Plus, our technical marketing team helps provide a deeper understanding of how products can work within a customer’s system, which makes selecting the right combination of products easier.

Q. What are some challenges you see facing students interested in electrical and computer engineering?

A. The biggest challenge facing students in ECE is the pace and breadth of technology advancement. Engineers used to focus mainly on hardware or software design. Now engineers have to implement more technologies in an application than ever before – and each technology is also evolving. The world is now our oyster per se, but the buffet is so large, it’s difficult to know where to start.

Q. How is Newark helping education?

A. Newark has long been a massive supporter of education – from supporting universities with its classroom and lab kitting capabilities, to suppling test equipment and lab supplies from the leading suppliers, as well as our own value-driven Multicomp Pro products.  From an educational standpoint, Newark has been at the forefront of physical computing with the latest in single board computers, including Raspberry Pi, Arduino and others while providing information and real-life projects and examples future engineers can learn from on our element14 community.

Q. What industry trends are you seeing in the marketplace?

A. I would say the largest trend is the expansion from strict component-based design to a modular or solution-based approach.  This has been a trend starting with power supplies, moving to complete LCD modules, up to certified wireless modules inclusion on single board computers.  The next wave is AI solutions component manufacturers are developing in collaboration with their partners to implement solutions such as edge computing products that also have the ability to seamlessly connect to a flexible cloud platform with its own AI capabilities.  Suppliers know the demands engineers are under when it comes to implementing new technologies and the trend of providing more complex demos, reference designs and modules will continue to be one of the most impactful trends I see in the near future. 

Aaron Cramer

TVA Professor and Department Chair of Electrical and Computer Engineering

University of Kentucky

I am the TVA Professor and Department Chair in Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Kentucky. I have been with UK since 2010. My research interests are in simulation, control, and optimization of power and energy systems.

Q. What inspired you to take on the role of department chair?

A. My department is like a family. I really saw an opportunity to help our community continue to develop and intentionally build collaborations that will help us address future opportunities.

Q. In your role as department chair, what did you find to be the most surprising or unexpected?

A. I have been overwhelmed by the support of my colleagues and supporters. This is a solitary role, but it is clear that I am not doing it alone. I want to sustain this cooperative energy because it will help facilitate a lot of the goals I have for the department.

Q. What are your immediate priorities and goals for your department?

A. Having started in the middle of the academic year, my immediate priority has been to survive. In seriousness, I want to work to ensure that we are spending more of our time on the things that matter most, community, collaboration, and continuity. We have big goals, but reaching them will require spending our energy more judiciously.

Q. What do you believe is the most essential trait for a department chair to possess, and how do you plan to cultivate that trait? 

A. I think it is important for department chairs to have a deep understanding of the role and themselves. How will they be able to lead authentically with the constraints they face and the multitude of stakeholders who need different things? I think the answer to this question really depends on that self-awareness.

Q. What do you most look forwared to in participating as an ECEDHA member?

A. I have heard so many positive comments from other members about ECEDHA being a supportive community and a forum in which important conversations about the future of our field are held. At the time I am answering this, I am eagerly anticipating meeting my colleagues at the Annual Conference next week.

Q. What is a fun fact about yourself? 

A. I am an undergraduate alumnus of UK ECE. There is some personal history tied up in my service to our department. When I say that a strong UK ECE department is vital to Kentucky’s workforce needs and technical vitality, I am speaking from my own experience.

Have an article you would like to share?

Articles of interest to ECEDHA members for the ECEDHA Source are always welcome. Email your article for consideration to information@ecedha.org. 

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