1st Edition

Teaching Electromagnetics Innovative Approaches and Pedagogical Strategies

Edited By Krishnasamy T. Selvan, Karl F. Warnick Copyright 2021
    258 Pages 87 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    258 Pages 87 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    Teaching Electromagnetics: Innovative Approaches and Pedagogical Strategies is a guide for educators addressing course content and pedagogical methods primarily at the undergraduate level in electromagnetic theory and its applications. Topics include teaching methods, lab experiences and hands-on learning, and course structures that help teachers respond effectively to trends in learning styles and evolving engineering curricula. The book grapples with issues related to the recent worldwide shift to remote teaching.

    Each chapter begins with a high-level consideration of the topic, reviews previous work and publications, and gives the reader a broad picture of the topic before delving into details. Chapters include specific guidance for those who want to implement the methods and assessment results and evaluation of the effectiveness of the methods. Respecting the limited time available to the average teacher to try new methods, the chapters focus on why an instructor should adopt the methods proposed in it. Topics include virtual laboratories, computer-assisted learning, and MATLAB® tools. The authors also review flipped classrooms and online teaching methods that support remote teaching and learning. The end result should be an impact on the reader represented by improvements to his or her practical teaching methods and curricular approach to electromagnetics education. The book is intended for electrical engineering professors, students, lab instructors, and practicing engineers with an interest in teaching and learning. In summary, this book:

    • Surveys methods and tools for teaching the foundations of wireless communications and electromagnetic theory
    • Presents practical experience and best practices for topical coverage, course sequencing, and content
    • Covers virtual laboratories, computer-assisted learning, and MATLAB tools
    • Reviews flipped classroom and online teaching methods that support remote teaching and learning
    • Helps instructors in RF systems, field theory, and wireless communications bring their teaching practice up to date

    Dr. Krishnasamy T. Selvan is Professor in the Department of Electronics & Communication Engineering, SSN College of Engineering, since June 2012.

    Dr. Karl F. Warnick is Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at BYU.

    1. Introduction. 
    Krishnasamy T. Selvan and Karl F. Warnick
    2. Teaching and learning electromagnetics in 2020
    Krishnasamy T. Selvan and Karl F. Warnick
    3. An experiential learning approach in electromagnetics education
    Hugo G. Espinosa, Jenny James, Nickolas Littman, Thomas Fickenscher and David V. Thiel
    4. Teaching and learning electromagnetics through MATLAB programming of electromagnetic fields
    Branislav M. Notaroš, Ryan McCullough, Sanja B. Manić, and Anthony A. Maciejewski
    5. Interactive computational tools for electromagnetics education enhancement
    Hugo G. Espinosa and Levent Sevgi
    6. Computational electromagnetics and mobile apps for electromagnetics education
    Eng Leong Tan
    7. Teaching electromagnetic field theory using differential forms
    Krishnasamy T. Selvan and Karl F. Warnick
    8. Maxwell’s displacement current: A teaching approach infusing ideas of innovation and creativity
    Krishnasamy T. Selvan and Karl F. Warnick
    9. Teaching electromagnetic waves to electrical engineering students: An abridged approach
    Javier Bará Temes
    10. Taking electromagnetics beyond electrical and electronics engineering
    Soo Yong Lim, Yana Salchak and Cynthia Furse
    11. HyFlex Flipping: Combining In-Person and On-Line teaching for the Flexible Generation
    Cynthia Furse, Donna Ziegenfuss
    12. Learning and teaching in a time of pandemic
    Hugo G. Espinosa, Uday Khankhoje, Cynthia Furse, Levent Sevgi and Berardi Sensale Rodriguez
    13. Conclusion and outlook
    Krishnasamy T. Selvan and Karl F. Warnick

    Biography

    Dr. Krishnasamy T. Selvan is Professor in the Department of Electronics & Communication Engineering, SSN College of Engineering, since June 2012.

    Dr. Karl F. Warnick is Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at BYU.

    "The book’s structure allows for reading the chapters independently and in no particular order.…This nonbinding structure of independent and easy-to-read, stand-alone chapters is no coincidence. It clearly results from the editors’ effort to adequately capture the richness and variety of approaches to education and ideas on teaching. To this end, they assembled a lineup of 20 contributors, varying in their disciplinary backgrounds as well as geographic location, seniority, and gender. The resulting diversity of topics, writing styles, and offered techniques and strategies guarantees that there will be something of interest in the book for everyone. Personally, I found very inspiring and eye-opening many of the numerous examples for interactive numerical exercises as well as the review of available mobile apps for EM education. Chapter 7 stood out to me, as it (very enjoyably) put me back in the student role for a short while, but each of the chapters contains some ideas that I found appealing and suitable to my teaching style. Although carefully curated with a general philosophy in mind, the book does not advocate for one approach, nor does it impose a rigid teaching paradigm. It is more of a snapshot of contemporary thought on EM education and newly available teaching tools and techniques, suggested by peers, which serves as a substrate for further discussion. Indeed, my urge while the reading to bring up these topics with my colleagues immediately sparked some very passionate and intriguing conversations. Evidently, the book achieves its primary aim: to further the ever-continuing discussion among teachers and students on bettering education in our field." - Yaniv Brick, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel/IEEE Antennas and Propogation Magazine