Learning electronics through animation: Improved academic achievements

Aharon Gero & Wishah Zoabi

Technion – Israel Institute of TechnologyOrt Braude College

Outline

Introduction Theory: Animation Based Learning The Animation Research Questions Methodology Findings Discussion

Introduction A central topic taught in electrical engineering is the structure and

principle of operation of electronic devices

Two-year college students often face great difficulty when studying this subject due to its complexity (Karmalkar, 1999)

A previous study (Gero, Zoabi, & Sabag, 2012) indicated Significant gap between the achievements of students studying the topic of

the BJT through computer animation and those of their peers who studied it using static diagrams

The gap, in favor of the first group, was accompanied by a large effect size

The current study examined whether animation based learning has an effect on students’ achievements in the case of the FET

Theory: Animation Based Learning Static hypothesis (Mayer et al., 2005)

Better learning is achieved by using written text and static diagrams Static tools reduce the cognitive load imposed on the learner by presenting only

the key stages of the process learned

Dynamic hypothesis (Rieber, 2009)

Better learning is achieved by using animations Animation reduces the cognitive load imposed on the learner by presenting the

dynamic picture necessary to understand the process learned Animation creates interest leading to high levels of motivation

Studies have not produced any conclusive results indicating the advantages of one approach over another (Hegarty et al., 2003)

The Animation

Developed by the multimedia group of the University of Cambridge – Department of Engineering

Qualitatively describes the processes occurring in the FET JFET MOSFET

Presented by the teacher accompanied by his explanations

Research Questions

What are the achievements of students studying the topic of the FET through animation, compared to those of their peers who studied the subject using static diagrams?

What are students’ attitudes towards animation based learning on the subject of the FET?

Methodology (1) Participants

40 electronics students in a leading two-year college in Israel

Methods Quantitative

Students were randomly assigned into two groups Experimental group (N = 20) Control group (N = 20)

Members of each group were examined in an identical preliminary achievement test on the subject of the diode (Pretest)

Methodology (2)

The experimental group learned the structure and principle of operation of the FET through animation, while the control group learned the same contents, for the same number of hours and by the same teacher, using static diagrams drawn on the blackboard

Members of each group were examined in an identical final achievement test on the subject of the FET (Posttest)

Qualitative

Semi-structured interviews (experimental group)

Methodology (3) Instruments

Tests were validated by two experts from the field of education in electrical engineering

Tests did not include the name of the examinee but rather only his identification number

Tests were graded in random order using a rubric

Findings: Achievements

Group NPretest Posttest

M SD t p-value M SD t p-value

Experimental 20 79.90 22.320.61 n.s.

85.50 11.393.85 <0.001

Control 20 83.70 15.28 60.90 25.45

A significant gap in favor of the experimental groupVery large effect size (Cohen’s d = 1.25)

Findings: Attitudes Cognitive component: Animation enhances understanding

The animation helped me understand how the devices work... In my opinion, a major strength of the course is the animation…

Affective component: Animation creates interest

I liked the animation... Due to the animation the lesson was interesting…

Discussion Conclusions

The achievements of students studying the topic of the FET through computer animation were significantly higher than those of their peers who studied the same subject using static diagrams

The effect size was very large This gap can be attributed to findings, according to which animation

enhances understanding and creates interest

Limitations Small sample Unconscious bias in favor of the experimental group (Rosenthal, 1966)

Novelty effect (Clark, 1983)