An intuitive, application-based, simulation-driven approach to teaching probability and random processes.
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| Title: | An intuitive, application-based, simulation-driven approach to teaching probability and random processes. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Sheikh, Waseem1 (AUTHOR) waseem@pnw.edu |
| Source: | International Journal of Electrical Engineering Education. Jan2024, Vol. 61 Issue 1, p17-57. 41p. |
| Subjects: | Computer engineering, Computer engineers, Stochastic processes, Concurrent engineering, Undergraduate education |
| Abstract: | Probability and random processes is considered by students to be conceptually one of the most difficult subjects in the undergraduate electrical and computer engineering curriculum. There are numerous reasons for this difficulty encountered by the students. First off, humans are not innately good at probabilistic intuition. Traditionally, this subject has been introduced in a very abstract manner without emphasis on real-world applications from electrical and computer engineering discipline. In addition, extensive use of interactive simulation and visualization tools, offering an alternative way of developing probabilistic intuition, is usually missing from traditional course offerings. This paper presents a unique pedagogical approach to teaching an introductory probability course offered to electrical and computer engineering juniors. The salient features of the proposed pedagogical approach include more emphasis on real-world electrical and computer engineering problems that show the applications of abstract probabilistic concepts; extensive hands-on and interactive MATLAB® simulations of real-world electrical and computer engineering problems that are tightly integrated into the curriculum; highlighting the frequentist approach to build probabilistic intuition using simulations; concrete examples showing how naive probabilistic intuition can be erroneous and how to develop correct probabilistic intuition based on systematically modeling, simulating, and analyzing a problem; and application-based simulations driving the abstract theory rather than the other way around. This pedagogical approach was implemented in a course offered to electrical and computer engineering undergraduates at Purdue University Northwest. The paper presents a concrete example illustrating how the salient features of the proposed pedagogical approach were implemented as part of this course and student data from the courses to validate the efficacy of the proposed approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of International Journal of Electrical Engineering Education is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Engineering Source |
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| Header | DbId: egs DbLabel: Engineering Source An: 176210898 AccessLevel: 6 PubType: Academic Journal PubTypeId: academicJournal PreciseRelevancyScore: 0 |
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| Items | – Name: Title Label: Title Group: Ti Data: An intuitive, application-based, simulation-driven approach to teaching probability and random processes. – Name: Author Label: Authors Group: Au Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sheikh%2C+Waseem%22">Sheikh, Waseem</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> waseem@pnw.edu</i> – Name: TitleSource Label: Source Group: Src Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22International+Journal+of+Electrical+Engineering+Education%22">International Journal of Electrical Engineering Education</searchLink>. Jan2024, Vol. 61 Issue 1, p17-57. 41p. – Name: Subject Label: Subjects Group: Su Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+engineering%22">Computer engineering</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+engineers%22">Computer engineers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Stochastic+processes%22">Stochastic processes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Concurrent+engineering%22">Concurrent engineering</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Undergraduate+education%22">Undergraduate education</searchLink> – Name: Abstract Label: Abstract Group: Ab Data: Probability and random processes is considered by students to be conceptually one of the most difficult subjects in the undergraduate electrical and computer engineering curriculum. There are numerous reasons for this difficulty encountered by the students. First off, humans are not innately good at probabilistic intuition. Traditionally, this subject has been introduced in a very abstract manner without emphasis on real-world applications from electrical and computer engineering discipline. In addition, extensive use of interactive simulation and visualization tools, offering an alternative way of developing probabilistic intuition, is usually missing from traditional course offerings. This paper presents a unique pedagogical approach to teaching an introductory probability course offered to electrical and computer engineering juniors. The salient features of the proposed pedagogical approach include more emphasis on real-world electrical and computer engineering problems that show the applications of abstract probabilistic concepts; extensive hands-on and interactive MATLAB® simulations of real-world electrical and computer engineering problems that are tightly integrated into the curriculum; highlighting the frequentist approach to build probabilistic intuition using simulations; concrete examples showing how naive probabilistic intuition can be erroneous and how to develop correct probabilistic intuition based on systematically modeling, simulating, and analyzing a problem; and application-based simulations driving the abstract theory rather than the other way around. This pedagogical approach was implemented in a course offered to electrical and computer engineering undergraduates at Purdue University Northwest. The paper presents a concrete example illustrating how the salient features of the proposed pedagogical approach were implemented as part of this course and student data from the courses to validate the efficacy of the proposed approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] – Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright Label: Group: Ab Data: <i>Copyright of International Journal of Electrical Engineering Education is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) |
| PLink | https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=egs&AN=176210898 |
| RecordInfo | BibRecord: BibEntity: Identifiers: – Type: doi Value: 10.1177/0020720919866405 Languages: – Code: eng Text: English PhysicalDescription: Pagination: PageCount: 41 StartPage: 17 Subjects: – SubjectFull: Computer engineering Type: general – SubjectFull: Computer engineers Type: general – SubjectFull: Stochastic processes Type: general – SubjectFull: Concurrent engineering Type: general – SubjectFull: Undergraduate education Type: general Titles: – TitleFull: An intuitive, application-based, simulation-driven approach to teaching probability and random processes. Type: main BibRelationships: HasContributorRelationships: – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Sheikh, Waseem IsPartOfRelationships: – BibEntity: Dates: – D: 01 M: 01 Text: Jan2024 Type: published Y: 2024 Identifiers: – Type: issn-print Value: 00207209 Numbering: – Type: volume Value: 61 – Type: issue Value: 1 Titles: – TitleFull: International Journal of Electrical Engineering Education Type: main |
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