Teaching wireless communications courses: An experiential learning approach

Student engagement continues to be a major challenge, particularly in electromagnetics courses. This is independent of whether courses are compulsory or elective. This paper presents an approach to assessing students that provides them with an opportunity for experiential learning, following Kolb’s learning cycle. Final year students are required to develop and complete two experimental projects over the 12-week trimester. At the outset of each project, pairs of students choose a three-line project outline; projects are unique to each two-person group with an obscure but practical industrial outcome designed to complement the lecture material. To succeed, students must continue to discuss their project strategies, measurements and final applications with the teaching team throughout the trimester. Students have rated the course experience very highly, and in some cases, their projects have enhanced their post-graduation employment opportunities in the field directly related to one of their projects.