Comparing Hands-On and Simulation-Based Microcontroller Instruction in Agricultural Systems Technology

Abstract

This exploratory study compared hands-on and simulation-based activities for teaching electronic circuit breadboarding and Arduino microcontroller programming to university students (n = 29) enrolled in an introductory agricultural systems technology course. Students were randomly assigned to either hands-on (n = 15) or simulation-based (n = 14) instructional groups. All students received the same introductory lecture and completed identical in-class practice activities. During the following class period, students completed either a hands-on or simulation-based breadboarding and programming activity. Student performance, attitudes toward learning about microcontrollers and breadboarding and programming self-efficacy were compared between instructional groups. All students in both groups successfully breadboarded the circuit and programmed the microcontroller. When controlling for prior programming experience, there were no statistically significant differences (p < .05) between instructional groups on attitudes toward learning about Arduinos or on breadboarding or programming self-efficacy. When controlling for instructional method, students with prior programming experience reported significantly (p = .01) more positive attitudes toward learning about Arduinos. Because of the exploratory nature of the study and small sample size, partial eta squared (ηp²) effect sizes were calculated for all dependent variables regardless of statistical significance. Instructional group had a medium effect on attitudes, favoring the simulation-based group, and negligible effects on breadboarding and programming self-efficacy. Prior programming experience had a large effect on attitudes and small effects on breadboarding and programming self-efficacy. These findings suggest simulation-based instruction may provide an effective alternative to hands-on instruction for introductory Arduino breadboarding and programming activities in agricultural systems technology courses.