Considerations on problem-based learning in the laboratory teaching of microcontrollers basics

This paper presents aspects concerning a possible unfolding manner of laboratory hours at a microcontrollers course for students who attend applied electronics or other related specializations in engineering education. The purpose of the paper is to present a practical, problem-based way of unfolding the laboratory hours. The objectives were: orientation of lab didactic activity towards solving problems from society or the economic environment, sending to students a wide range of information useful in their future careers as engineers, increase of students' satisfaction degree regarding the educational offer and the way it is taught, finding the students who have definite design and research skills so as they should be attracted later into the scientific research projects of the department or the faculty they attend and, last but not least, to motivate and improve the technical skills of the students. In the present work, the teaching method is described in case it is chosen as design theme the construction of an electronic circuit based on a microcontroller which provides optimized conversion of solar energy captured by the photovoltaic panels. In the paper it is presented the new theme of laboratory hours and the final solution which should be reached by the students.