ANALYZING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF USING ENHANCED ACTIVITIES WITH SIMULATION SOFTWARE IN A MOOC

The purpose of this paper is to present the application of an electronic Circuit Simulation Software as a complementary tool that helps the students to better understand the theory and functioning of electronic circuits in a massive open online course (MOOC). It investigates the impact of integrating various learning activities using circuits simulation along the course content to measure the effectiveness of this technique, acceptance by the students, the degree of satisfaction after their completion and results obtained in terms of motivation, engagement, knowledge and skills acquisition in this discipline.

Nowadays, the use of computer simulation is an essential tool for explaining electronics, it allows to illustrate theory lessons by visualizing the behavior of electronic components, power supplies and measuring instruments in a quick and easy way to understand. It is the simplest and fastest way to check the operation of a circuit, it does not need any type of additional material for the assembly of a circuit or to measure the results. This study outlines the design and development of various activities in a MOOC, that were created to help students overcome the difficulties that arise in the learning of electrical circuits, improving students’ learning experience and increasing the completion rate. This work presents in detail the advantages of using simulators and the conceptual framework based on aspects of constructivism that favor the use of this type of activities in MOOCs.

This study analyzed data obtained from edX course “Introducción a los circuitos eléctricos” (Introduction to electrical circuits) developed in early 2018 by a group of Professors of the Faculty of Computer Engineering and Computer Science and the Department of Research and Development (GES) of Galileo University. The data set consisted of a pre and post-course survey, solution laboratories submission, participant´s demographic information, and final grades.

Although MOOCs provide a platform for learning in a highly scalable and flexible manner, the results show that students perceive a real benefit in the construction of knowledge when using a circuit simulation software, as well as, a high degree of satisfaction when performing learning activities that really challenge their minds and gives them the opportunity to practice and experiment by them the theory. Overall students’ learning experience is improved in a significant way, it makes a clear difference for all those students who wish to learn and want to get better in their academic and professional performance.