Is Your Laboratory a Turn-Off?

Abstract

Generations of students have discovered, too often, that laboratory experience is the least satisfactory aspect of reading engineering. It is a regular comment from employers of engineering graduates that new employees are deficient in basic laboratory skills, yet the problem persists and unquestionably leaves serious expositors of the subject with a feeling that more should be done in this area. Some three years ago the authors decided a serious effort was needed to address these issues in our own department. The vehicle chosen was the Level 1 circuit design course. This paper will describe the strategy adopted to overcome the perceived weaknesses of our previous laboratory course as measured by a quality audit of student reactions.