A multimodal pedagogical approach to teaching electromagnetics

Abstract

Electromagnetics is a core course in the undergraduate electrical engineering curriculum that entails the study of electric and magnetic fields. Students, usually, perceive it as a challenging course since it requires them to build mental models of the spatial and time-varying electric and magnetic fields that cannot be seen by the naked eye. Moreover, the mathematics used in this subject is quite complex and abstract and can further compound the students' difficulties in connecting abstract math with real-life industry applications. To address these challenges, the author designed an undergraduate electromagentics course, which utilized certain pedagogical techniques to enhance the learning experience of the students. These pedagogies include extensive usage of MATLAB simulations, animations, and videos during the course that helps students visualize and conceptualize abstract concepts, usage of a comprehensive course-wide equation sheet, and highlighting the connection of the theory with real-life applications and industry jobs. This paper presents some of the simulations designed by the author as part of this course. Moreover, the equation sheet is also reproduced and access to its $LATEX$ source is provided for the benefit of other instructors and students. The paper also presents results from the end-of-semester students' survey to measure the efficacy of these pedagogical techniques.