The Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of an Electronics Curriculum Using Computer-Assisted Instruction/Computer-Controlled Laboratory at Motlow State Community College, Tullahoma, Tennessee.

Motlow State Community College (MSCC) in Tullahoma, Tennessee, received a federal grant to develop and implement an electronics computer-assisted instruction (CAI) classroom and an electronics computer-controlled laboratory (CCL). A portion of a complete CAI/CCL electronics curriculum developed by NIDA Corporation was developed, implemented, and evaluated at MSCC for use in teaching a total of 504 competency-based objectives in courses in direct current (DC) circuits, alternating current (AC) circuits, and digital circuitry. MSCC is now in its fourth year of using the CAI/CCL system and regularly offers basic electronics classes covering the 504 objectives through a combination of the CAI/CCL, a textbook developed by NIDA Corporation, and daily lectures. The MSCC program features 12 IBM-compatible personal computers that are each connected to a NIDA 130C trainer and that each have DC, AC, analog, and digital software and supporting experiment cards. The CAI/CCL system generates tests for almost every lesson that are instantly graded by the system. The system software has proved nearly error free and the NIDA trainers have been very dependable. Student satisfaction with and success in the program have been near the 100% level. (MN)