9354397 Carlson The recent sharp decline in the number of freshmen planning engineering careers has exacerbated the long-standing problem of attrition in engineering education. Responding to this problem, the project continues the development of a new introductory electronics laboratory, entitled Introduction to Engineering Electronics, that motivates freshmen for further study of engineering. The course focuses on electronics for motivation, since all branches of engineering use electronic instrumentation. Distinctive course features include an emphasis on interactive learning and hands-on experiences that stimulate curiosity, build confidence, and demonstrate the relevance and rewards of engineering work. The project has four major objectives: (1) assessing the motivational effectiveness of the course; (2) refining the content and structure based on student response; (3) preparing a guidebook and laboratory manual for use at Rensselaer and for dissemination to other interested institutions; and (4) developing a multimedia laboratory terminal. By achieving these objectives the project addresses educational issues of national significance -- motivation, retention, hands-on learning, and building student confidence. ***y
