In the dynamic landscape of electrical engineering education, adaptation to modern teaching tools is essential to provide students with the best learning experiences. A recent success story from Shandong Jianzhu University in China sheds light on how a strategic transition to Digilent devices, particularly the Analog Discovery Studio (ADS), has revolutionized their teaching methodologies and enhanced student engagement.
The Analog Discovery Studio combines a variety of test and measurement instruments into a single device, allowing students to experiment, prototype, and learn about analog electronics in a practical and interactive way. At Shandong Jianzhu University, the integration of the ADS (for analog theory) and NexysA7 (digital) as teaching hardware has become instrumental in cultivating a comprehensive understanding of foundational concepts of electrical engineering. Students are now empowered to explore practical applications, conduct experiments, and gain hands-on experience in a controlled environment.
WaveForms – Digilent’s omnipresent software that allows one device to be used as many – is central to the success of the ADS at Shandong Jianzhu. One of the educators remarked, “The most impressive function of ADS is the easy-to-use WaveForms software. I can conduct convenient and efficient measurements through this software and the ADS platform.” This sentiment highlights the user-friendly interface and the platform’s ability to simplify complex measurement processes, making it an invaluable tool for both educators and students.
Another aspect of the ADS that lends itself to teaching hands-on analog circuitry is its fully integrated and removable breadboard. This allows students to design and explore circuits in a flexible and portable way.
Digilent authorized distributor IECUBE worked with Shandong Jianzhu University to bring ADS and NexysA7 into the university’s syllabus, developing the localized courseware and add-on boards, which helped the professors in China to better bring the Digilent cutting-edge technology into their classrooms.
The School of Information and Electrical Engineering at Shandong Jianzhu University recognizes the need to stay at the forefront of educational technology. The adoption of ADS stems from a desire to transform their teaching approach, moving away from traditional methods and embracing a more interactive, student-centric model.
To find out more about how the Analog Discovery Studio can help your lab or classroom become a center for hybrid experiential learning, click here.
