Abstract:

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected education systems worldwide. In order to prevent the virus from spreading widely, most governments closed education institutions, causing rapid rise of e-learning and distance education.

In this paper we present our experience in teaching “Analogue circuits” at Plovdiv University during the coronavirus pandemic. From the beginning of March to the end of June the university suspended all face-to-face classes and moved to online learning. Only some laboratory exercises remained face-to-face but were postponed to the middle of July.

DIPSEIL e-learning system, QR codes and smartphones were used as teaching tools. Our team has more than ten years of experience in the implementation of performance-centered approach by utilizing DIPSEIL learning management system and more than five years practice in use of QR codes in education. DIPSEIL is a distance learning platform in which the course content is based on learning tasks. Courses are structured to provide individualized online access to all needed information, instructions, advice, tools and software to enable the student to perform a task with a minimum support from teachers. The Forum Tool allows students and teachers to exchange ideas and participate in discussion on learning tasks and the course content.

QR codes were used during the face-to-face laboratory exercises.

They were printed and attached to apparatuses or educational training kits. By scanning QR codes students can access short instructional videos which provide:
- instruction manual of some of the measuring instruments;
- a just-in-time basic theory refresher;
- step by step instructions to conduct the laboratory exercise.

Observations, questionnaires and reflections from the students are used for data collection. Most students report a positive experience from the entire online teaching in “Analogue circuits”. They think that DIPSEIL system is stable but there was a delay in receiving feedback from teachers. All students are confident that QR codes helped them to refresh their knowledge and perform the laboratory exercises more quickly.

Keywords:

Online education, DIPSEIL performance support system, QR codes, COVID-19 pandemic.